The Americans got out to an early lead, 1-0, at 4:58 of the first period thanks to forward Curt Gogol in front of the net. The game spiraled with two fights in the opening frame and extended into the second period with more behind the play, but the Steelheads found their scoring answer in that middle period.
At 0:55 of the second period, Steelheads defenseman Brady Norrish received a give-and-go from forward Mitch Moroz and placed a shot from the right circle by the netminder to tie the game, 1-1. Then, at 6:33, a shot by Steelheads defenseman Clint Lewis was deflected by forward Elgin Pearce in front of the net into an open goal, giving the home side a 2-1 lead.
Tensions simmered in the third period, but the Americans leveled the score at 5:50 with a goal from defenseman Alex Breton, tying the game at 2-2 and sending play into overtime. At 3:17 of overtime, Steelheads forward Steve McParland stripped a defenseman of the puck and after a first shot turned away flipped the rebound over the sprawled out netminder, securing the 3-2 overtime win.
Steelheads netminder Tomas Sholl (15-5-0) saved 27 of 29 shots in the win, while Americans goaltender C.J. Motte (11-11-3) halted 42 of 45 shots in the overtime loss. The Steelheads and Americans finish their weekend series on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7:10 p.m. from CenturyLink Arena.
With Idaho Steelheads release
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