Steelheads fall in shootout, take five of six points in Stockton

(Stockton, CA) ? Bretton Cameron was true while Aki Seitsonen was denied in the seventh round of the shootout Sunday evening as the Stockton Thunder edged the Idaho Steelheads, 5-4, in front of over 6,000 fans in Stockton. Mark Derlago had a goal and an assist while Evan Barlow added two assists - the fourth straight game Barlow has registered at least two points - for Idaho (21-17-3-7), who took five of six possible points in the weekend series in Stockton. Idaho found the net four times in the second period to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Derlago, Geoff Irwin, and Marty Flichel scored the first three, with Irwin's and Flichel's each coming on the power play. Cody Purves scored the fourth on a wild bounce, giving Idaho a one-goal lead into the final period. Stockton's Jarrett Konkle scored the only goal of the third period off a rebound to knot the game at four. Neither team scored in an overtime session that included nearly 1:45 of three-on-three hockey. Idaho's Jase Weslosky stopped four of the first five shootout shooters for Stockton, but Idaho could only counter with a Steve Oleksy tally, sending the shootout into extra frames. Stockton's Jim McKenzie and Idaho's Kael Mouillierat each scored in the sixth round, leading to the seventh and final round, where Cameron scored and Seitsonen was denied. Weslosky stopped 35 of 39 shots in the loss, he's now 6-6-0-1 on the season for the Steelheads. Tyson Sexsmith stopped 31 of 35, improving to 4-1-1-1 for the Thunder. Idaho returns home Tuesday night to host the Ontario Reign. Game time is 7:10 at Qwest Arena, tickets are available by calling 208.331.TIXS. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Geoff Irwin (1G) AQUA FINA THREE STARS: 1. Bretton Cameron (Stockton) 2. Mark Arcobello (Stockton) 3. Mark Derlago (Idaho)