Steelheads Overcome Deficit in 6-5 Overtime Win Over Americans

BOISE, Idaho- The Idaho Steelheads (12-8-4) came back from a pair of two-goal deficits to win 6-5 in overtime against the Allen Americans (15-4-3) on Friday night from CenturyLink Arena.

The Americans scored within the first minute at the 1:00 mark thanks to forward Gabriel Gagne, who scored on a net front pass to take a 1-0 lead. The Americans also earned anther tally when forward Alex Guptill was also opened in front of the net at 15:12 to increase their lead, 2-0.

In a back and forth second period, the Steelheads netted their first goal of the game at 4:39. Forward Will Merchant was fed by forward Brett Supinski in the high slot and zipped the tally top shelf to cut the lead in half, 2-1.The Americans responded quickly on a breakaway from forward Brett Pollock to stretch the lead back to two, 3-1, at 5:36, but Steelheads forward Kyle Schempp chipped a centering pass in the crease toward an open goal at 16:42 while on the power play, bringing the two sides back within one again at 3-2.

The Steelheads tied the game, 3-3, in the third period at 6:08 with a deflection in the slot by forward Conner Bleackley. The Americans spread back the lead with two goals beginning at 8:00 thanks to forward Josh Britain on a takeaway at the Idaho blue line and continued by forward Tyler Sheehy on a short-handed break at 11:26, moving ahead 5-3. The second comeback bid began with forward Tye Felhaber at 14:19 placing his first professional goal during a net front scramble set on the power play up by forward A.J. White, and forward Spencer Naas finished the comeback at 15:27 on another flurry set up by White in front of the net, sending the game to overtime at 5-5.

In overtime, White set up another goal, leading forward Max Coatta on a breakaway at 2:58, and his shot off the crossbar gave the Steelheads the finishing blow in the 6-5 overtime win.

Steelheads goaltender Colton Point (3-4-1) stopped 27 of 32 shots in the win, while Americans netminder Jake Paterson (8-2-2) turned away 36 of 42 shots in the overtime loss.

The Steelheads and Americans finish their three-game weekend on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:10 p.m. from CenturyLink Arena for Teddy Bear Toss For Tots. Tickets are available by calling 208-331-TIXS(8497) or going online to idahosteelheads.com. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 1350 KTIK-AM and at 7:00 p.m. on Sparklight Ch. 72 as well as ECHL.tv.

Call the Steelheads Front Office at 208-383-0080 to plan your seats for this season, including single-game, flex plans and season tickets. Stay connected to the Steelheads on idahosteelheads.com or by following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.