BOISE, ID – February 25, 2023 – The Mariners erased a 3-0 deficit, tying the game twice in the third period, but Justin Ducharme’s power play goal with 18 seconds to goal broke a 4-4 tie and left the Mariners empty handed on their trip to Idaho. The Steelheads claimed a 5-4 win on Saturday night in the final game of a three game series.
The Mariners fell into a quick 2-0 hole when the Steelheads scored a pair of goals in the first 5:07 of the game. Owen Headrick netted his ECHL defenseman-leading 13th goal at 4:56, when he walked down the slot uncontested. Just 11 seconds later, Ty Pelton-Byce finished a back door tap-in to double the Idaho lead.
Idaho made it 3-0 when Justin Misiak grabbed a rebound and beat Brassard at 10:16 of the second period. Shortly after, the Mariners finally got on the board as Reid Stefanson took a pass from Alex Kile off the rush and beat Remi Poirier short side while skating 4-on-4. Tim Doherty had a shorthanded breakaway in the final seconds of the period but shot wide and the Steelheads carried a 3-1 lead into the third.
The Mariners scored a pair to tie it up at three early in the third, starting on a Mitch Fossier shorthanded breakaway just 46 seconds into the frame. Then, at 2:07, after hitting the post, Chase Zieky zipped a sharp angle shot past Poirier to knot it up. The Steelheads got a shorthanded goal of their own at 9:30 to go back ahead when Misiak skated in alone on Brassard and buried his second of the game. The Mariners wouldn’t go away, however, as Pat Shea found the equalizer at 16:13, jamming in a rebound after an incredible pad save by Poirer. With just under two minutes left, Fossier was called for holding, leading to Ducharme’s eventual game-winner. The Mariners were unable to pick up a point in the three games against the Steelheads and have now dropped four in a row.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers