Stockton holds off Idaho, 3-2

Stockton, CA (2/2/13) - Cody Reichard stood tall in the third period, withstanding a strong charge over the game's final ten minutes as the Stockton Thunder held off the Idaho Steelheads, 3-2, in front of a sellout crowd of 8,919 at Stockton Arena. Idaho (28-12-5) and Stockton have met four times this season, each winning two, with a cumulative score of 12-11 in favor of the Steelheads. Three of the four have been decided by one goal. All five goals were scored between 4:02 and 12:36 of the second period. The first strike came from Idaho's David deKastrozza from the high slot, his 12th of the season, from Sam Carrick to make it 1-0. Stockton would answer with three straight goals - two from Harrison Reed - in a four-minute span to make it 3-1 Thunder at 8:08 of the second. The Steelheads drew closer on the power play at 12:36 when Tyler Gron converted a Carrick pass on the power play to make it 3-2. Gron has six goals in eight games since joining the Steelheads in January. After that tally, it turned into a goaltender battle as Reichard and Josh Robinson answered the bell time and time again over the remaining 28 minutes of play. Robinson made two big saves in the early moments of the third period to keep it a one-goal game as momentum swung to Idaho favor. The Steelheads would control play over the last ten minutes of play but Reichard and the Thunder defense kept Idaho off the board to sneak away with the win. Reichard stopped 30 of 32 shots in the win. Robinson stopped 29 of 32, dropping his individual record to 15-5-2 in his first professional season. Idaho was 1-2 on the power play while Stockton came up empty on their two power-play opportunities. The team returns home on February 6 against the Utah Grizzlies. 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 - Sam Carrick CENTURYLINK THREE STARS: 1) Harrison Reed (STK) 2) Justin Maylan (STK) 3) Cody Reichard (STK) 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.