Special teams struggle again in Saturday loss

Bakersfield, CA (1/12/13) - One night after scoring three power play goals, the Bakersfield Condors netted four goals on the man-advantage, providing the difference in a 6-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads on Saturday night. The Condors won two straight over the weekend against Idaho, converting 7 of 18 power play opportunities against the Steelheads. Idaho's record falls to 23-9-5. After an early Condors power-play goal, Idaho would answer back on Ian Watters' first ECHL goal. Watters took a feed from Sam Carrick at the right-hand post and slammed the puck off Brian Stewart's leg pads. The first-year pro stuck with it, though, and tucked home his own rebound at 7:40 of the first to even the score at 1-1. Bakersfield would strike on the man-advantage at 17:20 and 19:37 of the first to make it 3-1. Nicolas Tremblay would net his first of two in the second period in a 4-on-4 setting at 6:55 to make it 4-1. Another Tremblay goal on the power play at 11:55 made it 5-1 and essentially ended all doubt in terms of the outcome. Idaho came out strong to start the third period in hopes to trim the deficit, but Stewart made brilliant saves on Brett Robinson and Matt Case at close range in the first five minutes of the frame to protect the four-goal lead. Tyler Brenner buried an even-strength tally at 7:56 of the third to make it 6-1 before the Steelheads were able to net their ECHL-best tenth short-handed goal of the season in the final 20 seconds. David deKastrozza picked up a turnover in the neutral zone and carried it down the left-hand wing, going up and over Stewart's shoulder for his tenth goal of the season. Stewart was strong all night in net for Bakersfield, stopping 39 of 41 Idaho shots in the win. Josh Robinson took the loss, making 27 saves for Idaho. The Steelheads were 0-6 on the power play and were whistled for 18 infractions on the evening, leading to the 13 Bakersfield power plays. Idaho returns home on January 18 and 19 to take on the Alaska Aces in downtown Boise. 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 - David deKastrozza CENTURYLINK THREE STARS: 1) Nicolas Tremblay (BAK) 2) Brian Stewart (BAK) 3) Kyle Haines (BAK) 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.