Idaho guts out OT win again

Ontario, CA (4/19/13) - Tyler Gron's shot from the top of the right circle found its way to the back of the net twelve minutes into overtime as the Idaho Steelheads defeated the Ontario Reign, 3-2, in Game 1 of the ECHL Kelly Cup Western Conference semifinals, presented by KeyBank. The win gives Idaho a one-game-to-none lead in the best of seven series with Game 2 coming up Saturday night in Ontario. Despite some early rust after a week-long layoff, things could not have gone much better for the visitors from Boise for the first two periods. Goaltender Tyler Beskorowany made several timely saves and Idaho notched a goal in each period to take a 2-0 lead into the third period. Idaho's first goal came from Justin Taylor at 13:20 of the first as he skated from the right corner across the top of the crease, stuffing the puck past the skate of Jean-Francois Berube for his second playoff goal of the season. Then, at 2:37 of the second period, Gron finished off a three-on-one rush with a quick wrist shot from the slot, beating Berube inside the left post. The worm began to turn at 9:14 of the third when Ben Ondrus was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, putting the Reign on a five-minute power play. The Steelheads came within 12 seconds of dousing the Ontario opportunity before DJ King tipped a shot past Beskorowany at 14:03 of the third to cut Idaho's lead to 2-1. Then, just 55 seconds later, Derek Couture tied it with a seeing-eye shot from the slot as Beskorowany scrambled back into the crease after having his stick knocked out of his hands to tie the game at two. The Reign nearly took the lead a minute later on an Everett Sheen shot from the left wing, but it rang off the crossbar as the game went to overtime. In the extra session, Idaho fended off a pair of early opportunities for Ontario before tilting the ice the other way. Berube robbed Adrian Foster and Hubert Labrie with back-to-back pad saves to thwart a two-on-one rush midway through OT before Idaho struck for the winner. Gron carried the puck in and delivered it to Andrew Carroll. Carroll had the puck roll off his stick right back to Gron at the top of the right circle. Gron spun and shot under duress through traffic, beating Berube to the far post at 12:12 of overtime to win the game. The goal was Gron's second of the game and fifth of the postseason, tying him for the team lead in that catagory with Austin Smith. The goal was also Gron's second overtime game-winner as Idaho played its fourth overtime game (in seven total games) already in the playoffs. The Steelheads are 3-1 in games decided in overtime during the playoffs. Game 2 is Saturday night at Citizen's Business Bank Arena, beginning at 6 PM (Pacific). The Steelheads and CenturyLink Arena will once again host a free watch party in the SportZone at CenturyLink Arena. The doors will open one hour prior to game time. COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Tyler Gron CENTURYLINK THREE STARS: 1) Tyler Gron (ID) 2) Rylan Galiardi (ID) 3) Jean-Francois Berube (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.