Idaho rallies past Ontario for shootout win

(Ontario, CA) - Kael Mouillierat had a goal, an assist, and started the shootout with a tally as the Idaho Steelheads rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Ontario Saturday night, 4-3, in a shootout at the Citizens Business Bank Arena. With the victory, Idaho took five of a possible six points in the three-game set on the road against the Reign. Rookie goaltender Adrien LeMay stopped 28 of 31 shots - including a couple show-stoppers - in regulation and all four Ontario shootout shooters to earn his second win in as many starts for the Steelheads. Alex Bourret gave Ontario a quick lead at 1:25 of the first, his fifth of the season, as Idaho surrendered the game's first goal for the tenth time in the past 12 games. As they have done many times, however, the Steelheads countered with a Geoff Irwin tally to tie the game at one after the first period. Ontario scored twice to take a 3-1 lead with less than five minutes in the second period, but Idaho again battled back. On the power play, Kael Mouillierat powered the puck into the crease and then past Ontario goaltender Mike Zacharias to cut Ontario's lead to one at 3-2. Mouillierat's 18th of the season was assisted by Evan Barlow and Dustin Friesen. In the opening seconds of the third period, Ontario had a short-handed 2-on-1 rush, but LeMay robbed Chaz Johnson to keep it a one-goal game. The Reign successfully milked most of the time off the clock in the third, but not all of it. With just over two minutes left in regulation, Mouillierat and Barlow worked the puck behind the Ontario net. Barlow picked it up, circled to the near side, and flipped a backhand shot past Zacharias to tie the game. LeMay came up with another circus save in the final minute of regulation to force overtime. Neither team scored in the extra session as LeMay made yet another highlight-reel save to send the game to a shootout. Mouillierat and Mark Derlago each scored in the first two rounds of the shootout and LeMay turned aside Jordan Morrison, Dusty Collins, Aaron Lewadniuk, and Shawn Germain to give the win to Idaho. Idaho's power play went 1-6 on the night, while Ontario was 1-3 with the man advantage. The contest drew 7,446 fans. Idaho returns to Qwest Arena on Wednesday, March 2, to face the Western Conference-leading Las Vegas Wranglers. It's part of a three-game homestand with games Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday against the Wranglers. Tickets are available at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling 208.331.TIXS. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Kael Mouillierat AQUAFINA THREE STARS 1) Kael Mouillierat (ID) 2) Alex Bourret (ONT) 3) Evan Barlow (ID)