Kuhn sets team record in overtime loss to Bakersfield

(Bakersfield, CA) ? Jimmy Martin scored in overtime when a puck banked off the back glass to the near circle, beating a diving Jerry Kuhn as the Bakersfield Condors rallied past the Idaho Steelheads, 4-3, Thursday night in Bakersfield. Idaho (3-7-2) does pick up one point in the standings by reaching the overtime session. The loss dampened a record-setting performance by Kuhn, as the Idaho goaltender set a team single-game record with 49 saves. Idaho got things started early in the first period when Ian Lowe fed Chad Nehring on top of the right-hand circle of the offensive zone. Nerhing's blast beat Bryan Pitton to give the Steelheads a quick, 1-0 lead. The lead grew to two just three minutes later on the power play when Kael Mouillierat's persistence near the crease paid off. The second-year pro kept jabbing at a puck, eventually getting it past Pitton for his sixth of the season to put Idaho on top, 2-0. The Steelheads increased the lead to 3-0 early in the second period when David Fredriksson picked up a puck beneath the Condor goal line and fed it into the right-hand circle to Aaron Lewadniuk. Lewadniuk blasted a one-time shot over Pitton's shoulder for his second of the season, with Fredriksson extending his point streak to seven straight with the assist. The Condors would rally, though. First, it was Matthew Sisca in a scramble in front of the net at 1:09 of the second to make it 3-1. Then, it was Jimmy Martin in the final minute of the second period, squeaking one through Kuhn's legs to cut Idaho's lead to 3-2 going into the third period. Idaho did a good job stemming the tide for virtually the entire third period until the final minute. Despite being down a man, Bakersfield's Scott Freeman carried the puck into the offensive zone. He left a soft pass in the high slot for Alain Goulet, who pounded a one-timer over Kuhn's shoulder to tie the game with just 44 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, Bakersfield continued to pound the Idaho net, but it was a shot that went over the net that wound up deciding the game. An outside shot from the far side flew over the crossbar, banking off the glass behind the Idaho net and bouncing out on the near, right-hand side. A hustling Jimmy Martin got to it first, flipping the game-winner past Kuhn. Idaho went 1-3 on the power play with Bakersfield going 0-3 on the man advantage. The Condors outshot the Steelheads, 53-25. The Steelheads and Bakersfield meet again Friday and Saturday night in California.. The games all begin at 8 PM (Mtn) and can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley. Idaho returns home Friday, November 18, to host the defending Kelly Cup champion Alaska Aces. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office (208.331.TIXS) or by logging on to www.idahosteelheads.com. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Aaron Lewadniuk AQUA FINA "3 STARS" - (1) Jimmy Martin (BAK) (2) Alain Goulet (BAK) (3) Jerry Kuhn (ID) Steelhead Season-Ticket Holders get six games FREE when they sign up for full-season packages. Fans can still get pro-rated full-season tickets for the remaining 32 home games, starting at less than $275 per seat. Partial-season plans are also available. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.