Idaho advances to Kelly Cup Finals

BOISE , Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads were triumphant in six games against the Stockton Thunder and will make their third appearance in the Kelly Cup Finals.   The Steelheads seemed to dominate most of the game, and despite a slow start, were victorious with a final score of 7-5, to finish the Thunder’s season.
 
Following the win, The Steelheads were presented the Bruce Taylor Trophy for winning the National Conference Finals before 4,200 fans on hand at the Qwest Arena.
 
In their longest playoff run, since coming to Stockton, the sixth seeded Thunder should have no regrets.   They played with heart and were incredible contenders.
 
The Stockton Thunder took advantage of two power plays in the first period with goals by Steve Vanoosten and Jason Pitton.    At 5:39, Vanoosten’s shot beat Rejean Beauchemin to the net.   Then late in the period, Pitton’s seventh goal of the post season came with two minutes remaining. Both teams were even at the break at seven shots on goal.
 
Idaho would begin their puck domination as they returned to the ice.   John-Scott Dickson scored the next three goals earning Idaho’s first natural hat trick.   Dickson’s first goal, originally awarded to Evan Barlow, came at 3:48 on a power play, followed by his second and third goals less than seven minutes later.  
 
Stockton found a way to even the score at three on a goal by Garet Hunt.   Hunt happened to be in the right place, at the right time, for a rebound knocked up and over Beauchemin’s shoulder.  
 
But then as the Thunder served a penalty for too many men on the ice, Idaho’s Mark McCutcheon scored his seventh goal of the post season at 16:25 and the Steelheads sailed into the break leading 4-3.   Idaho dominated in shots on goal 22-10 during the second.
 
Early in the third period, Steelhead’s Devergilio scored on a break-away to extend the lead   Then at 4:50 a three-on-one break-away, Mark Derlago beat Andrew Perugini to the net and stretched the lead 6-3.
 
The Thunder worked to make up lost time, and with 12:10 left, Matt Marquardt beat Beauchemin on a long slapshot to the back of the net.   Then, late in the period, Stockton had another power play opportunity. Kelly Czuy snapped a one-timer with 2:21 left, to close in within tying range of the Steelheads.
 
In the last desperate minute, Perugini was pulled for the extra skater and an unfortunate intercepted pass by Captain Marty Flichel to bury an empty net goal and deplete all hope the Thunder had of coming back.
 
Stockton ’s netminder Andrew Perugini posted 37 saves on the night, but it wasn’t enough, as Beauchemin’s 24 saves would give him the win tonight.
 
In the post season, Idaho has played only 11 games and is now 9-1-1.  
They will face the winner of game seven between the Cincinnati Cyclones and Reading Royals.   Both teams are tied at three games apiece, with their final game of the series on Wednesday evening, in Cincinnati.
Game one of the Kelly Cup Finals will begin in Idaho, at Qwest Arena on Friday May 14.
 
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com