Big third period lifts Idaho past Colorado

Loveland, CO (1/11/14) - Austin Fyten scored twice and Charlie Dodero handed out three assists as the visiting Idaho Steelheads staged an impressive rally, scoring four times in the game's final frame to knock off the Colorado Eagles, 4-2, in Loveland, CO.With the win, Idaho (18-12-4, 40 points) kept pace in the standings with Colorado (19-10-5, 43 points).The Eagles notched the first two goals as Kyle Ostrow created a turnover and scored at 13:09 of the first period and then Luke Fulghum scored from the edge of the left circle at 8:26 of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Idaho nearly cut into the lead twice in the late stages of the second as Fyten hit the post with a rebound shot and Mitch Wahl put a big shot off the crossbar.Idaho, just 2-11-2 when trailing after two periods coming into the game, went to work in the third period. First, it was William Rapuzzi from the right-wing circle at 3:57 of the period for his seventh goal of the season. Then, just 40 seconds later, Rob Linsmayer redirected a Dodero point shot past Marc Cheverie to tie the game at 2-2 at 4:37 of the second period.The score remained tied into the middle stages of the third when Dodero dropped the gloves with Colorado's Daniel Johnston, delivering several big right hands to bring his team back to life. Less than a minute later, at 13:12 of the third, Fyten got loose in the slot and ripped a shot over Cheverie's shoulder to give Idaho a 3-2 lead.With less than a minute to go and the Colorado net empty in favor of an extra attacker, David deKastrozza won a defensive zone draw back to Dodero, who chipped the puck off the glass to the neutral zone. Fyten won a footrace to the loose puck and slammed home an empty-netter with three seconds left to seal the win for Idaho.Pat Nagle delivered another steady performance in net for Idaho, getting the win after turning aside 24 of 26 Colorado shots. Cheverie allowed three goals on 28 shots for Colorado. Idaho's power play went 1-5 and the penalty kill was a perfect two-for-two. Idaho's penalty-killing unit has now turned aside 22 of the past 24 man advantages for the opposition over the past six games (91.7 percent).Fyten (two goals), deKastrozza (two assists) and Dodero (three assists) all posted multi-point games for the Steelheads.The team's next home game is Wednesday, January 15, when the Steelheads host the Utah Grizzlies for RC Willey Family Night and Friday, January 17 for Blue Cross Knit Cap Night. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 208-331-8497.COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Charlie Dodero (3A)CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1) Austin Fyten (ID)2) Charlie Dodero (ID)3) Kyle Ostrow (COL)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 for more information.