McBride Hat-Trick Completes Comeback in 5-4 Overtime Win

WICHITA, Kan. – The Idaho Steelheads (25-16-1) rallied from two goals down in the third period to win 5-4 on a hat-trick goal over the Wichita Thunder (15-21-6) on Friday night from INTRUST Bank Arena.THE GAME’S STO­­RYScoring started late in the first period with a power play strike for the Thunder before the Steelheads found an answer from forward Shawn McBride (16:28 1st) from the right side of the net to knot the game, 1-1. Early in the second, the Thunder found another go-ahead strike before McBride (PP, 17:56 2nd) punched home a rebound late in the frame for a second tying goal, 2-2. The Thunder pounced early in the third period with two quick strikes to take the early 4-2 advantage. The Steelheads comeback bid began with an unassisted takeaway from forward Zach Walker (7:38 3rd) and forced overtime with an angled shot from forward Colton Kehler (EA, 18:51 3rd) in a 4-4 game. In overtime, McBride (3:45 OT) put back a rebound to finish the hat-trick and comeback in the 5-4 win.ICCU 3 STARS OF THE GAME1. IDH – Shawn McBride (hat-trick, game-winner)2. WIC – Alex Peters (two assists)3. IDH – Zach Walker (goal, assist)PEPSI PLAYER OF THE GAMEShawn McBride (F) – first-career hat-trick, overtime-winning goalSTEELHEADS STANDOUTS- Shawn McBride: McBride earned his first-career hat-trick as well as his first overtime-winning goal, netting the first two tallies and the final one.  It’s his first multi-goal game of the season and launches him to nine goals on the season.- Zach Walker:Walker’s tenacity paid off with one goal and one assist, including the first goal of the comeback. It’s Walker’s second-career multi-point game and stretches his current run to points in five of seven games (2-4—6).- Jake Kupsky:Kupsky made a career-high 49 saves on 53 shots to turn in his third-straight win following losses in five of six to start the calendar year. Kupsky has a team-best 11 wins with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.CATCH OF THE DAYThe Steelheads recorded their third hat-trick of the season to extend their win streak to five games. It’s the first time in Steelheads history that two-straight overtime wins have been earned by the hat-trick goal, joining the hat-trick by Yauheni Aksiantsiuk on November 26 in the 3-2 victory over the Allen Americans. It’s also the second time in the ECHL era that two-straight hat-tricks were involved in an overtime result and first since the 2015-16 season when Carson McMillan’s hat-trick was part of a 5-4 road win over Wichita on Feb. 21, 2016 and a hat-trick by Rob Linsmayer on Mar. 25, 2016 during a 5-4 overtime loss at home to the Colorado Eagles. All three hat-tricks have been scored by different players, and tonight’s was the 45th in the ECHL era.ATTENDANCE: 3,391LOOKING AHEADThe Steelheads and Thunder continue their three-game weekend on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 6:05 p.m. from INTRUST Bank Arena. Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on 95.3FM/1350AM "The Ticket" & FloHockey.