Steelheads edge Condors in OT, 2-1

Bakersfield, CA (11/15/14) – Wade MacLeod fished a loose puck away from Ty Rimmer and fed a perfect pass to Alex Belzile for the game-winning goal in overtime as the Idaho Steelheads edged the Bakersfield Condors, 2-1, Saturday night at Rabobank Arena.

Idaho (10-3-1, 21 points) finished a four-game/five-night stretch with three wins in four games, including two tough road wins over the weekend in Bakersfield.

After a scoreless opening frame, Bakersfield scored first on a rush up the left-wing side as Sebastian Sylvestre poked the puck past Idaho's Olivier Roy at 13:16 of the 2nd to put the Condors on top, 1-0.  During the ensuing goal celebration, Condors defenseman Brendon Nash was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct to immediately put Idaho on the power play.  One minute later, at 14:16, Ludwig Karlsson tied the game with a wrist shot over the glove hand of Bakersfield's Ty Rimmer from the bottom of the right-wing circle.  Karlsson's third was assisted by MacLeod and Scott Valentine to square the game at one goal apiece.

The teams proceeded to play a scoreless third as both Rimmer and Roy came up with big saves to keep the game tied.  The best was from Roy on a Condors rush.  Nash, trailing the play, walked down the slot for a premium scoring chance but Roy came out of the crease to cut down the shot, thwarting Bakersfield's best chance to win it in regulation.

Once overtime rolled around, Idaho brought the puck into the offensive zone.  The initial shot was saved by Rimmer, but he left the rebound on the ice near the right-wing post.  As he looked for it, MacLeod pulled it free and feathered a perfect pass to the top of the crease to Belzile for a slam-dunk game-winner at the 1:36 mark of overtime.  Belzile's fifth of the season, third in two nights, was assisted by MacLeod and Charlie Dodero.

Roy, who stopped 16 of 17 Bakersfield shots, picked up his ECHL-best eighth win of the season.  Rimmer took the loss despite stopping 25 of 27 Idaho shots.

The Steelheads penalty-kill unit was a perfect 4-for-4 and has now successfully stopped 23 of the last 25 man-advantage opportunities for the opposition over the last five games.  Idaho's power play was 1-for-5.

The Steelheads return to home ice in Boise on Wednesday, November 19, to host the Ontario Reign.  It's the first of three between the teams as they'll also play Thursday and Saturday.  Saturday is Military Night and also Pepsi Puck Night.  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 –  Wade MacLeod (2A)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1)   Alex Belzile (ID)2)   Sebastian Sylvestre (BAK)3)   Ludwig Karlsson (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.