Idaho remains undefeated in post-season

BOISE , Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads continue to trample over any team that crosses their path.   In game one of the National Conference Finals against the Stockton Thunder, Idaho opened fast and furious, never looking back. The Steelheads take the first game with a final score of 4-2 at Qwest Arena before 3,139 fans.
 
In the opening period, Idaho’s Mark McCutcheon opened the scoring at 4:01 on a power play goal, assisted by Marty Flichel and Dustin Friesen. Then at 14:07 Flichel scored his first goal of the post season, a second power play opportunity, assisted by Friesen.   At the first intermission Idaho lead by two.
 
Before the new ice was set, McCutcheon scored his second goal of the game and his fifth of the post season, at the 45 second mark.   The first half of the game was dominated by Idaho.  
 
When Stockton tried to clear the puck from their zone, Mathieu Tousignant took a pass from Guillaume Monast and dumped the puck into the net past Andrew Perugini, to put Idaho up by four at 9:02 into the period.
 
Despite Stockton’s relentless pummeling on the Steelhead net, goalie Richard Bachman stopped everything they could throw at him.   Finally, Matt Robinson found the net, to give Stockton their first goal at 10:48.
 
In an attempt to change the momentum of the game, Thunder coach Matt Thomas swapped Perugini with Bryan Pitton just past mid-period. By the end of the period, Idaho cruised into the break with a 4-1 lead.  
 
The Thunder’s Ryan Constant scored an unassisted goal at 9:29, as a result of a rebound, to close the gap 4-2 in the third.   It wouldn’t be enough, as late penalties would keep the players unevenly matched on the ice until the final bell.  
 
Bachman received his fifth consecutive win with 29 saves.   Despite Pitton putting a stop to the scoring for Idaho, and the Thunder outshooting the Steelheads 31-22, Idaho would take the win and the first game, of the best-of-seven series with a final of 4-2.   The win tonight gives Idaho a perfect 5-0 for the post-season.
 
Game two will be tomorrow night at Qwest Arena.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com