Snake-bitten Steelheads fall in Alaska

Anchorage, AK (11/28/14) – Despite dominating the final 40 minutes of the game, including limiting the home team to just nine shots on net over the final two periods, the Idaho Steelheads couldn't muster enough goals in a 3-2 loss to the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, AK.

Idaho (11-6-1, 23 points) and Alaska will meet again on Saturday night with puck drop scheduled at 9:15 PM (Mtn) and can be heard live on KTIK (1350 AM) in the Treasure Valley.

Alaska scored first as Colten Hayes squared up a nice, back-door feed from Bryan Cameron at 3:40 of the first period to put the Aces on top, 1-0.  The Steelheads didn't wait long to respond on the man advantage as Alex Belzile chipped home the rebound of a David deKastrozza shot from the edge of the crease to tie the game.  Belzile's seventh of the season - fifth in his past seven games - was also assisted by Eamonn McDermott.  Less than 90 seconds later, Alaska took the lead on a fortunate bounce as Greg Wolfe's centering pass hit the leg of Olivier Archambeault and bounced into the net at 9:03 of the first to make it 2-1.  Alaska had a chance to extend the lead when the team was awarded a penalty shot at 17:19 of the period, but Olivier Roy denied Tim Coffman to keep Idaho within one.

Idaho controlled play in the second period, but Alaska's Niklas Lundstrom kept Idaho off the board until Cameron was able to jab home a loose puck during a goal-mouth scramble with just over a minute left in the frame to extend Alaska's lead to 3-1.

In the third, Idaho once again dictated tempo and pressured the Alaska zone.  Idaho got a goal back at 3:23 when defenseman Charlie Dodero joined the rush.  His initial shot from the high slot was blocked, but bounced right back to him.  He slid to the right a couple of feet and snapped it home to get Idaho back within a goal.  Ludwig Karlsson and Colin Shea picked up assists on Dodero's second of the season.  Dodero nearly tied it moments later on a back-door pass, but Lundstrom just got the leg pad over to deflect the shot.  Chances aplenty for Idaho over the final fifteen minutes, including a loose puck in the crease inside the final five minutes, but Alaska was able to dodge the bullet and pick up the one-goal victory over the Steelheads.

Olivier Roy took the loss for Idaho, stopping 17 of 20 shots.  Niklas Lundstrom got the win, stopping 29 of 31 shots for Alaska.  Each team went 1-4 on the man advantage.

After Saturday's game in Alaska, the Steelheads have a Monday date in Utah against the Grizzlies before returning home for a three-game set next week against the Bakersfield Condors.  Idaho will wear specially-themed, blue and orange jerseys that will be auctioned off via silent auction with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the St. Luke's Children's Hospital.  Tickets for all three games are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME –  Charlie Dodero (G)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1)   Colten Hayes (AK)2)   Bryan Cameron (AK)3)   Alex Belzile (ID)

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.