Landon Bow makes a great save
LOVELAND, Colo. – Despite out shooting the visiting Idaho Steelheads 34-22 and having four power play chances to just one man advantage for Idaho, the home team Colorado Eagles were unable to get a win in game one of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Idaho scored first on their only power play opportunity of the game when team captain Jefferson Dahl sent a slapper past Kent Simpson for the 1 to 0 lead at 8:27 of the opening period.
Johnny Lazo, who spent the majority of this season recovering from a broken foot suffered in training camp, tied the game about a minute later at 9:36 as he poked a loose puck past Landon Bow on a scramble in front of the Idaho net.
With the score tied at one each, Rob Linsmayer surprised Colorado’s Kent Simpson  with a shot from blue while line that resulted in a shorthanded goal to give the lead back to Idaho at 7:19 of the middle frame.
Jefferson Dahl beats Kent Simpson
Idaho scored again in the second period when Justin Hache sent a shot by Simpson at 13:55.
Eagles Captain Sean Zimmerman answered the Steelheads goal with a seeing eye shot through traffic that beat Bow to get the home team back within one goal heading into the final period.
With a strong defense and the continued stellar effort of the visitors net minder, the Steelheads shut down Colorado’s scoring and stopped all 12 shots on goal in the third period from the Eagles.
With Simpson on the bench for the last-minute of play Idaho’s Brian Nugent managed to extend their lead to 4 to 2 with an empty net goal at 19:36.
Game 2 of the Kelly Cup Divisional Semifinals between Colorado and Idaho will take place Saturday night at 7:05 at The Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Co.
Article and photos by Terry Sanford for Pro Hockey News
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