Second-period flurry sinks Steelheads

Loveland, CO (11/5/14) – The home-standing Colorado Eagles netted three goals in a span of a minute and ten seconds late in the second period, turning a tight contest into a 5-1 victory over the Idaho Steelheads Wednesday night at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado.

The loss, played in front of an announced sellout crowd, snapped Idaho's five-game winning streak as the Steelheads and Eagles now have matching 6-2 records after eight games.  The same two teams meet again on Friday in Loveland and the game can be heard live on KTIK 93.1 FM.  Puck drop is 7:05.

A tight first period saw its only goal at 14:08 of the frame on a cross-ice power-play pass from Taylor Vause to Jonathan Parker, who quickly one-timed a shot just past a lunging Olivier Roy to make it 1-0.  Roy kept Colorado from extending the lead with a pair of brilliant saves, including a leg-pad denial in tight on Brock Nixon in the final minute of the first.

The score held deep into the second period before Colorado snapped off three goals in barely over a minute to take control of the game.  First, it was Nathan Moon from the left edge of the crease at 17:20 of the second.  Then, Vause finished off a two-on-one rush just 40 seconds later.  Then, just 30 seconds after that. it was Jordan Kwas cashing in on a two-on-one rush as the lead swelled to 4-0.

Greg Gardner batted home a loose puck at the one-minute mark of the third period, making it 5-0, when Steelheads head coach Brad Ralph opted for a switch in net, bringing in 20-year-old Henri Kiviaho in relief of Roy.  Kiviaho stopped all eight shots he faced over the game's final 19 minutes, including an impressive two-save sequence late in the third.

Idaho got its goal off of a two-on-one rush when Doug Carr turned aside David deKastrozza's initial shot, but Brandon Troock knocked the rebound home at 9:50 for his first professional goal to make it 5-1.

Roy got the loss, stopping 20 of 25 saves in net for Idaho.  Carr got the win, stopping 24 of 25 shots for Colorado.  Idaho had one power play opportunity in the game, coming up empty, while Colorado was 1-3 on the man advantage.

NOTE: Defenseman Mike Dalhuisen returned to the Idaho lineup after being reassigned by Texas of the American Hockey League on Tuesday.  Dalhuisen picked up a fighting major against Darryl Bootland in the first period.

Idaho returns home on Tuesday, November 11, to host the Alaska Aces at CenturyLink Arena.  Tickets are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME –  Branden Troock (G)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1)   Taylor Vause (COL)2)   Nathan Moon (COL)3)   Jonathan Parker (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 Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.