Steelheads stifled by Eagles, 3-0

Loveland, CO (1/10/14) - Kevin Young and Alex Hudson netted first-period goals and the Colorado Eagles limited the visiting Idaho Steelheads to just 17 shots on net as the Eagles upended the Steelheads, 3-0, at the Budweiser Events Center on Friday night.Idaho's record dropped to 17-12-4 with the loss as the team was shut out on the road for the first time this season. The 17 shots also represented a season-low for the Steelheads.Colorado scored twice in the first on shots through traffic as Young's shot from the top of the right circle found its way past Idaho's Pat Nagle through a slew of bodies at 8:34 of the first. Then, at 13:13 of the first, Hudson's shot from the right circle also snuck through a screen to beat Nagle far post to give the Eagles a two-goal lead. Idaho nearly cut into the lead but a centering pass hopped Austin Fyten's stick on the doorstep and a Mitch Wahl redirection was barely snagged by Colorado goaltender Dustin Butler to keep the score at 2-0 after one.The Eagles would out-shoot Idaho in the first, 16-4, and also out-shot Idaho in the second, 12-6, as Idaho struggled to gain any forward traction through the game's first 35 minutes. Late in the second period, Colorado's Luke Fulghum drove Idaho's Patrick Cullity into the boards, drawing a penalty, but Tommy Grant was assessed a major penalty as he took issue with Fulghum's hit, putting the Eagles on an extended power play. During the man-advantage for Colorado, Idaho was whistled for another penalty, giving the Eagles a full, two-minute, 5-on-3 power play with a chance to salt the game away bridging the second and third periods.But Idaho's penalty-killers came through, killing off both the major and the 5-on-3 to keep hopes alive. As the major penalty expired, Idaho drew a penalty to get a power play of its own two minutes into the final frame and had two good shots on net, but Marc Cheverie - who came on in relief of Butler in the second - saved both to maintain the 2-0 lead.Late in the third, Kyle Ostrow picked up a breakaway goal with Idaho gambling in the offensive zone, trying to get back in the game, to close out the scoring at 3-0.Idaho's penalty-kill unit was outstanding all night, killing off all seven man-advantage opportunities for Colorado's fifth-ranked power-play unit. However, Idaho's third-ranked power-play unit came up empty on all four of its man advantages.Nagle took the loss for Idaho despite making 31 saves on the night. Butler stopped all ten shots he faced before leaving in the second period. Cheverie finished up the shutout with seven saves over the game's final 22 minutes.The same two teams meet again on Saturday night in Loveland. Game time is 7:05 PM and can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley with the St. Luke's Pre-Game show getting underway at 6:50 PM.The team's next home game is Wednesday, January 15, when the Steelheads host the Utah Grizzlies. Tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 208-331-8497.NOTE: Just prior to gametime, forward Austin Fyten was reassigned to Idaho by Oklahoma City of the American Hockey League. Fyten arrived at the arena less than two hours before the game and put two shots on net during the contest. Also, Steven Whitely, Joe Caveney and Andrew Conboy all made their Steelheads' debut in the game.COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME - Mitch WahlCENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1) Alex Hudson (COL)2) Kevin Young (COL)3) Trent Daavatilla (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.