Campbell pitches 34-save shutout in Idaho win

Stockton, CA (2/20/15) – Jack Campbell turned aside all 34 shots he faced and Colton Beck knocked home a rebound goal as the Idaho Steelheads shut out the Stockton Thunder, 1-0, in a game marred at the final horn by a near-line brawl.

Idaho improved its overall record to 30-16-4 with its fourth shutout of the season.  The same two teams meet Saturday (8:30 Mtn, KTIK 1350) and Sunday (5:00 Mtn, KTIK 1350).

Both goaltenders, Campbell and Stockton's Kent Simpson, performed well throughout the night as the teams swapped power plays during a penalty-plagued first period.  The pace of play opened up in the second, resulting in 29 combined shots on goal but both goaltenders continued to stand tall.  Campbell made perhaps the save of the night midway through the period on former Steelhead John Ryder as the Stockton defenseman's point shot was deflected but Campbell hung with the redirection to make a tremendous stop at the top of the crease.  Similarly, Simpson smothered a well-timed Beck redirect as the scoreless tie continued well into the second period.

Finally, at 13:34, Idaho got the game's only goal as Matt Case's point shot was tipped by Beck.  Simpson made the initial save but Beck jabbed home the rebound after a goal-mouth scramble, his tenth goal of the season, to give Idaho a 1-0 lead.

Idaho's defense dug in during the third period as the Thunder began to press, seeking the game-tying goal.  Idaho's skaters kept most of the action to the outside as the Thunder were credited with just six official shots on goal in the final frame.

With tensions mounting, Rob Linsmayer and Garet Hunt dropped the gloves and picked up fighting majors with less than 30 seconds to go in a one-goal game and then, at the final horn, Stockton's Mario Larocque tried to jump Gaelan Patterson before Mike Dalhuisen intervened.  What ensued was a borderline line brawl - even the goaltenders met at center ice - with Stockton players throwing punches from the bench before referee Andrew Wilk and his linesmen (Brett Martin and Steven Berry) were able to restore order.  Neither team wanted to leave the ice after the incident before finally heading to their respective locker rooms.  Larocque and Dalhuisen each picked up game misconduct penalties along with Stockton's Klarc Wilson and Loic Leduc as a total of 51 combined penalty minutes were doled out at the 20:00 mark of the third period.

Campbell was outstanding in earning his first ECHL shutout, stopping all 34 shots he faced.  Simpson was strong as well for Stockton, stopping 33 of 34 shots.  Neither team scored in the power play, each going 0-4.

Idaho returns home on Wednesday, March 4, to host the Stockton Thunder before hosting its annual "Pink in the Rink" weekend on March 6 and 7 as the team will auction off game-worn jerseys to raise money for St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute.  Tickets are available online at www.idahosteelheads.com or by calling 208-331-8497.

COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME –  Colton Beck (G)

CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1)   Jack Campbell (ID)2)   Kent Simpson (STK)3)   Colton Beck (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.