Neal powers Steelheads to win over Condors

(Bakersfield, CA) ? Michael Neal had a career-best three points, including two second-period goals, Saturday night as the Idaho Steelheads defeated the Bakersfield Condors, 4-2. With the win, Idaho (5-7-2) took five of a possible six points in the three-game weekend set with the Condors. The Steelheads struck first late in the first period when Neal flipped a pass toward the Condor net. Chad Nehring was there to redirect the puck past Matt Keetley to put Idaho on top. It was Nehring's third of the season and second of the weekend as Idaho took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. For the second consecutive night, Idaho exploded in the second period. At 6:49, Neal picked up his first of the night (and the season) with a spinning wrist shot over the shoulder of Keetley to give Idaho a 2-0 lead. The Steelheads didn't wait long to play add-on as Jacob Cepis and Ian Lowe fed Kael Mouillierat for his team-leading eighth of the season at 8:12 of the second to make it 3-0. Then, just 54 seconds later, Chad Nehring hustled the puck up the right-hand wall. From the goal line, he threw the puck toward the goal. Keetley blocked the low-angle shot but left a big rebound right on top of the crease. Neal was there to smack it home. His second of the night (and the season) made it 4-0 Steelheads. Bakersfield did pick up a pair of tallies late in the second period to make things interesting as the score was 4-2 going into the third. Idaho, playing short-handed, gutted it out, though, holding off the Condors with strong defensive work and solid goaltending from Jerry Kuhn to secure the victory. Chris Hepp and Ian Lowe each had two assists in the win for Idaho. The team has won two straight and picked up points in five of its past six games. Kuhn stopped 38 Bakersfield shots in the win. Keetley stopped 25 of 29 for the Condors. Idaho was 1-5 on the power play while the Condors converted two of seven power play chances. 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 - Michael Neal AQUA FINA "3 STARS" - (1) Michael Neal (ID) (2) Ian Lowe (ID) (3) Matt Marquardt (BAK) 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.