Steelheads get even in third OT, 3-2

LAS VEGAS, Nev –   The Wranglers entered Wednesday night’s game with the Steelheads leading 1-0 in the series on the strength of a double overtime win the previous night.   In a short, five-game series this was a pivotal match for both sides.  
 
Both clubs seemed tentative throughout the first period as they combined for only 14 shots on goal.   Idaho’s Jerry Kuhn stopped all six shots he faced in the first and the Wranglers’ Michael Ouzas was perfect the eight shots he faced.   Neither team was particularly effective on the powerplay on two attempts for Idaho and one for Vegas.
 
By going scoreless in the first period, the Steelheads were without a goal innearly six full periods of hockey in this brief series.
 
In fact, it took Idaho nearly seven full periods of hockey before breaking through for their first goal.   Mark Derlago picked up a power play marker at 19:22 of the third for the Steelheads.   The goal tied the game at one after the Wranglers broke through earlier in the second on a goal from Blair Riler.
 
The Wranglers had picked up the intensity a bit in the middle frame with ten shots on goal to five for Idaho for a two period lead of 16-13.  
 
Chris Higgins put the Wranglers back in the lead with his first of the post season at 2:01 of the third.   Justin Bernhardt and Colin Long set up the goal off the set up.  
 
Before Vegas could get too comfortable with the lead the Steelheads’ Marty Flichel picked up another powerplay goal to knot the score at two apiece.  
 
Despite some frenzied activity at the end of the third, the teams remained tied at two and entered overtime again.
 
Through most of the first half of the first extra session, the Wranglers controlled play and prevented any serious threat to their goal as they launched 5 shots to Idaho’s none.
 
A penalty for too-many-men on the ice to Vegas gave the Steelheads some room to maneuver in the extra session and get their offense back on track.  
 
Despite the frenzy of action neither team was able to break through for the winner in the first session and prepared for another extended evening in Las Vegas.
 
In the second OT period Idaho’s Adam Huxley took a minor for boarding but the Wranglers were unable to capitalize on the man-advantage.   Through the second OT session Vegas had squandered four power play opportunities.  
 
Dustin Friesen finally ended the evening at 8:13 of the third OT when converted a pass from Flichel and Tristan King.   The goal sent 2033 weary fans home disappointed and sent Idaho home with a sigh of relief.     For the Wranglers they will need to straighten out their powerplay unit if they want to succeed on the road in this best-of-five series.   Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com