Steelheads regain lead in Game 5

STOCKTON , Calif. – The Idaho Steelheads turned on the defense and the pressure to stop the Stockton Thunder in their tracks in game five, with a final score of 6-3.   The Steelheads now lead the Thunder 3-2, as both teams head back to Boise for game six and seven, if necessary.
 
Stockton started the scoring in the first period.   Matt Robinson passed to James Bates, who beat Rejean Beauchemin to the net at 7:56.   Idaho’s Marty Flichel scored on a power play to knot the game at one apiece at 13:44.  
 
In the second period, the lead exchanged hands three times, and four goals were scored in less than 2 minutes.   Idaho took their first lead at 10:49 on a goal by Mark Derlago.    Colin Hemingway scored the equalizer only 35 seconds later, assisted by his brother Brett Hemingway. Idaho regained the lead again 32 seconds later with a goal by Guillaume Monast; his first of the post season. But it wouldn’t last long, as Matt Robinson put the disc into the net only 18 seconds later.   One last goal in the period by Flichel, at 17:05, would turn out to be the game winner.
 
Idaho blasted Stockton in shots on goal in the second period, leading 16-3.
 
The third period saw a lot of back and forth action and heavy defense.   An unassisted goal by Evan Barlow late in the period would quiet the crowd of 4,521 and an empty net goal by Mark McCutcheon at 19:41 would seal the win for Idaho.
 
Bryan Pitton would take the loss tonight, facing 31 shots, while Beauchemin gets the win facing only 16.  
 
The Steelheads will return home feeling a little lighter, while the Thunder face a must win situation in the next game, scheduled for Tuesday, May 11.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com