Kuhn's heroics not enough as Idaho falls in double OT

(Las Vegas, NV) ? Ryan Huddy's unassisted goal at 17:44 of the second overtime ended one of the longest scoreless overtime duels in ECHL history, sending the Las Vegas Wranglers to a 1-0 victory over the Idaho Steelheads Tuesday night in front of 2,060 fans at the Orleans Arena. The Wranglers lead the best-of-five first-round playoff series one game to none. Game two is Wednesday night at 8 PM (Mtn) in Las Vegas. Huddy picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated down the near side on a 2-on-1 rush, and snuck a puck between Idaho's Jerry Kuhn and the near post from inside the near circle to end the game just short of 100 minutes of play. The longest 1-0 playoff game in ECHL history involves the Steelheads - Idaho fell in the opening seconds of the third overtime in last seasons' ECHL Conference finals to the Stockton Thunder. Kuhn, the rookie out of Western Michigan, was magnificent in net for Idaho. He turned aside the first 48 shots he faced before Huddy's wrister slipped past him for the game winner. The 48 saves ties a Steelheads single-game record set by Dan Ellis in December of 2003. Both teams had opportunities throughout the game, but neither could solve the other's netminder. During regulation, Idaho's Marty Flichel blasted one over the shoulder of Las Vegas goaltender Michael Ouzas only to see it clang off the crossbar. In the second overtime, Las Vegas's Geoff Paukovich had a rip ricochet off the post as well. In the first overtime, Kuhn robbed Paukovich in the early seconds only to see Ouzas stop Kael Mouillierat at point-blank range in a scramble in front of the Wrangler net moments later to keep the game going. Kuhn also bravely dove out to poke-check Huddy on a mini-breakaway opportunity during the second overtime. Neither team converted on the power play. Idaho was 0-2, Las Vegas was 0-5. Kuhn stopped 48 of 49 shots in the losing cause while Ouzas picks up the win after blanking the Steelheads on 29 shots. The ECHL's Kelly Cup playoffs come to Boise's Qwest Arena on Friday night as the Idaho Steelheads host the Las Vegas Wranglers in Game 3 of the best-of-five playoff set. Fans can lock in their favorite seat for every possible home playoff game while saving up to 35 percent off the walk-up prices with the ?Pay as We Play? playoff ticket plan. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME ? Marty Flichel AQUA FINA THREE STARS 1) Ryan Huddy (LV) 2) Michael Ouzas (LV) 3) Jerry Kuhn (ID)