Idaho picks up gutty win in Ontario

Ontario, CA (2/16/13) - Four different players found the back of the net and Josh Robinson turned in a tremendous effort in net Saturday night as the Idaho Steelheads upended the Ontario Reign, 4-2, at Citizens Business Bank Arena. With the win, Idaho (33-15-5, 71 points) formally clinches an ECHL playoff berth in the team's 53rd game, the third-fewest number of games needed to clinch a playoff spot in league history. Since its inception in 1997 in the now-defunct WCHL, Idaho has never failed to qualify for the playoffs. Ontario had multiple opportunities to strike right out of the gates, but Idaho weathered the storm thanks to a couple of clutch Robinson saves. The Reign drew first blood on Dan DaSilva's 14th of the season at 8:34 of the first period, but Idaho would answer at 14:27. Sam Carrick fed a centering pass from the trapezoid behind the net to David deKastrozza as he cruised through the slot and deKastrozza banged home his 18th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Ontario would take the lead back when a deflected pass found its way onto the stick blade of CJ Stretch at 17:18 of the first and Stretch had an easy goal as Robinson had moved in anticipation of the intended pass rather than the deflection. The Steelheads came up with a huge answer just six seconds later. Ben Ondrus won the ensuing center-ice face-off, fed the puck to a streaking Brett Robinson, and Robinson snapped home a left-handed wrister from the hash marks out in front of the net at 17:24 to tie the game at two apiece after one period. Idaho netted the only goal of the second at 10:15 of the period when Jace Coyle picked up a puck that Carrick carried into the offensive zone. Coyle ripped the puck home from the right-hand circle for his fifth of the season to give Idaho a 3-2 lead. A back-and-forth battle ensued for the next 20 minutes of play as Idaho worked to hold on to its one-goal lead. Then, at 14:54 of the third, Idaho picked up a big insurance goal as David Toews stuffed home the rebound of a Scott Todd shot to make it 4-2. The Steelheads would need a couple big saves from Robinson over the final five minutes of play to secure the victory in front of 8,766 fans in southern California. Robinson picked up his 18th win of the season with the 27-save effort. Troy Redmann, making his professional debut, surrendered four goals on 33 shots in the loss. Neither team scored on the power play as Idaho was 0-6 and Ontario was 0-3. The Steelheads travel back to Las Vegas on Sunday for a late game Sunday night, beginning at midnight at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The Steelheads return home on Friday, February 22, to face the San Francisco Bulls at CenturyLink Arena. 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) Jace Coyle (ID) 2) Sam Carrick (ID) 3) Dan DaSilva (ONT) 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.