Comeback Falls Short; Eagles Fall 5-3 to Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads would use a four goal first period to defeat the Colorado Eagles in their first game of a three-game series this week. Idaho forward Kellen Lain would a couple of goals in the victory, and the Steelheads goaltender would make 34 saves in the victory over the Eagles.

Following the first goal from Lain, the Steelheads would convert on a tip-in to make the game 2-0, a shorthanded goal to make the game 3-0, and then another goal to give the Steelheads the 4-0 lead at the end of the first period.

The Eagles would finally put themselves on the board in a much improved second period, as Eagles forward Josh Nicholls would fire a shot from the top of the right circle past Steelhead goaltender Desrosiers at the 11:36 mark of the second period. Cutting away at the Steelheads lead would continue for the Eagles, Shawn St. Amant would fire a wrist shot from the right circle on the powerplay to pull the Eagles to a two goal differential.

Minutes following the St. Amant powerplay goal, the Eagles would be given another opportunity on the powerplay they would convert on, as Darryl Bootland would deflect a shot to bring the Eagles within one goal of the Steelheads.

However, the Steelheads would have plans of their own as Steelheads forward Will Merchant would capitalize on an Eagles turnover to extend the Steelheads lead 5-3. The Eagles would pull Clarke Saunders to try to rally a last-second comeback, but would fail in doing so.

The Eagles will continue their series against the Steelheads on Friday, January 13th in Boise,Idaho at 7:10pm MT.