After dominating play for most of the game, the Idaho Steelheads took a 2-1 series lead after getting the game-winning power-play goal at 8:02 of the second overtime, winning 2-1. The goal was not without controversy however, as a penalty could have been called on the Steelheads for holding Mike Lalonde just prior to the puck being worked in for the game-winning shot. The Thunder protested enough to draw a misconduct penalty at the end of the game.

The Thunder took a 1-0 lead in the second period off a goal by Colin Pepperall with assists from Lalonde and Mathieu Melanson. Two and a half minutes later, the Thunder had a chance to take a 2-0 lead disallowed on a quick whistle from the referee. The Thunder fans were definitely unhappy with the referee as he waved off a goal, and called several questionable penalties throughout the game. The crowd was very energetic with several chants and lots of noise. There was also a good showing of fans in yellow between t-shirts and the infamous yellow wigs that were such a hit starting last season.

The Steelheads were able to even the game at one with a power-play goal at 12:43 of the third period by defenseman Lars Helminen, assisted by John Lammers and Marty Flichel. The Thunder gave the Steelheads a chance to win in regulation as Beau Geisler was whistled for tripping just under a minute to go. The Thunder were able to keep them to just a single shot for the rest of regulation, forcing overtime.

The odd thing compared to NHL games was that at the start of overtime, the teams did not switch ends. After the Thunder killed off the initial penalty, they had their chances to win it as Idaho gave up several power-play chances. The Steelhead penalty killing was superb, denying shots on goal, sometimes for the entire manpower advantage. Idaho outshot the Thunder 14-8 in the first overtime, forcing Devan Dubnyk to make several good saves to keep his team in it. Predictably, the three stars were the two goaltenders and John Lammers for scoring the winning goal.

Idaho Steelheads at Stockton Thunder - Game Four

Stockton evened the first round ECHL series at two games apiece with a 3-2 win in front of another lively crowd. While this game also featured some questionable calls from the officials, the Thunder were able to overcome them for the victory. This was the 14th time these two teams faced off against each other this season.

Stockton opened the scoring off a giveaway by Steelheads goalie Steve Silverthorn. Mike Lalonde intercepted the clearing pass and centered to Nathan Martz before Silverthorn could get back in the net for the first Stockton shot on goal. Idaho was able to answer almost immediately with as Jay Beagle set up defenseman Travis Wight for a goal. A little later, with the Thunder on the power-play, they had a goal disallowed as the referee was calling a delayed penalty on the Steelheads. He ruled that the Steelheads had controlled the puck, despite protests from the Thunder that the goal should count. Unfortunately for the Thunder, they were unable to score on the ensuing power-plays, with the period ending tied at one goal each. The Steelheads were able to control much of the play, out-shooting the Thunder 17 to 9 in the period.

The second period started with the Thunder down a man for 41 seconds on a penalty to Tim O’Connell. The Thunder were able to kill that penalty off, but were outplayed, even on their own power-play by Idaho. Idaho was able to take its first and only lead of the night just past the midpoint of the game on a goal from Marty Flichel. The assists went to Lance Galbraith, returning from his Game Three suspension, and Derek Nesbitt. Defenseman Brian Lee misplayed it, not covering Flichel, leaving him open to score the goal. Two minutes later, the Thunder tied the game again at two with a goal from Liam Reddox, set up by Tim Sestito. Stockton was able to slow down the Idaho attack in the second period, matching them for nine shots on goal in the period.

The Thunder scored the game winner as defenseman Ryan Geris passed the puck up to Sestito and he proceeded to walk through the Steelhead defense. First, he deked around the right defenseman, and then deked Silverthorn out of position to put in the easy goal. Stockton netminder Dubnyk also picked up an assist on the play. This brought some life to the play of Stockton, but again, Idaho was able to limit the shots that got through to the keeper. Despite not getting onto the score-sheet, Tim Verbeek, younger brother of former NHLer Pat Verbeek, played well, generating a lot of hits and good energy for his team. Verbeek shares his brother’s old nickname, “The little ball of hate.”

Idaho pulled their keeper with 1:20 to go in an effort to tie the game, and force overtime, but Stockton was able to keep them off the scoreboard to win it. The three stars were all from Stockton, with Liam Reddox getting the third star. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk, making 34 saves on 36 shots. Tim Sestito definitely earned the game’s first star with an assist and great goal for the game-winner.

With the series tied at two, Stockton hosts its final home game of the series Monday night, before the head back to Boise, Idaho for Game Six and a possible seventh game. Idaho has achieved at least one thing it wanted to coming into the games in Stockton by taking home-ice advantage back. Stockton however now has a chance to win the pivotal fifth game on its home-ice, in front of its boisterous fans before going back to Idaho.