Idaho overcomes sluggish start to beat Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA (12/14/12) ? Justin Dowling handed out three assists and five different players found the back of the net Friday night as the Idaho Steelheads defeated the Bakersfield Condors, 5-2, in front of 4,585 fans at Bakersfield's Rabobank Arena. Idaho (18-5-3) had to overcome an early two-goal deficit to extend its unbeaten-in-regulation streak to eight games as Bakersfield struck twice in the first 1:28 of play. Scott Enders snuck a knuckleball past Idaho's Josh Robinson at the 51-second mark and then Levi Nelson tipped a puck just across the goal line at 1:28 of the first to give the Condors a 2-0 lead before the fans could settle into their seats. After that, however, it was all Idaho. The Steelheads could not solve Scott Greenham over the remainder of the first period but got to the Bakersfield goaltender in a big way in the second frame. Idaho got on the board at 1:10 of the second when Dowling found Hubert Labrie alone in the left-hand circle for his second of the season. The Steelheads would tie it up on Jeremie Blain's power-play goal at 8:09 of the second, a shot from the top of the left circle that redirected in off the skate of Bakersfield's Francis Meilleur to square the game up at two goals apiece. The Steelheads would break the tie at 15:40 of the second when Dowling won an offensive-zone draw straight back to the top of the right circle to Tristan King and the 22-year-old King blistered a one-timer over Greenham's shoulder to make it 3-2 Idaho. The goal was King's ninth of the season. Just sixteen seconds later, Sam Carrick and David deKastrozza executed a perfect two-on-one rush, ending with deKastrozza's sixth goal of the season at 15:56 to make it 4-2. Idaho added a short-handed goal in the third period from Austin Fyten following an aggressive forecheck on the penalty kill from Mathieu Tousignant at 7:32 of the third to make it 5-2. It was Idaho's ECHL-best ninth short-handed goal of the season. Josh Robinson improved his personal record to 11-0-2 with the win, stopping 22 of 24 shots. Greenham took the loss after making 34 saves on 39 shots. Idaho was 1-2 on the power play while Bakersfield went 0-5 on the man advantage. Idaho heads down the highway to Ontario, CA, for a Saturday-night tilt against the Ontario Reign. Game time is 7 PM (Mtn) and can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley. The Steelheads play their final home game of 2012 on Saturday, December 22, against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 208.331.8497 or by going online at www.idahosteelheads.com COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Justin Dowling CENTURYLINK THREE STARS: 1) Justin Dowling (ID) 2) Scott Enders (BAK) 3) Tristan King (ID) Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim?s Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.