Playoff Game Round 1 Results: 3-2 Maulers

Welcome back Maulers nation, the reason I am reporting to you is because the boys have fought to live another day! That's right they crushed Idaho with a 3-2 win and are looking to regain some momentum as they force a third and final game which decides who will face off against the Ogden Mustangs, who recently upset the Salt Lake City Moose by advancing on to the second round with a 2 game sweep, in the second round to determine who will be the Northwest divisional champions. I knew the boys had the fighting spirit inside of them, and now, they do as well. The lines were definitely improved from game 1's performance and the level of play was stepped up without a doubt. The team met Idaho's strength and pinpointed their weaknesses to which they used against them. I am predicting that the third game will be one of the toughest the Maulers have faced yet. The Jr. Steelheads are already aggravated and tomorrow it will be an all out slug-fest to see who will claim that last spot. I believe that Idaho is going to bring their most physically demanding and harshest game to the ice because they have a title to defend and they will do anything to protect it.

Erich Jaeger, who has proven to be skilled beyond his years this season, started the scoring off the game as well as the Maulers at 3:34 on a power play in the first. Azzinnaro and Wheatly nabbed assists.

Gritty veteran Corey Schafer scored an unassisted goal at 7:16 in the middle frame to make it 2-0 Missoula. At 10:26, Ben Hull of Idaho netted one past Janzen to make it 2-1 with a little help from team mate Anton Virtanen. Defenseman Henrik Ekestahl responded 3 minutes and 31 second later with an unassisted geno of his own to once again make it a 2 point Missoula lead. Victor Carlsson scored the last goal of the game at 15:16, also unassisted, to make it 3-2 for the Steelheads but unfortunately that wasn't enough to tie it.

The third and final game will be at 1pm MST in McCall, Idaho. Victor moves on to the next round versus the Ogden Mustangs.

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1: 

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (Cross Checking) 2 Minutes, 2:26

Missoula Maulers - Tyler Zandhuisen (Kneeing) 2 Minutes, 7:14

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (High Sticking) (Double Minor) 4 Minutes, 13:59

Period 2:

Missoula Maulers - Erich Jaeger (Interference) 2 Minutes, 8:04

Period 3:

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Randy Patzner (Slashing) 2 Minutes, 4:23

Missoula Maulers - Henrik Ekestahl (Tripping) 2 Minutes, 14:16

Idaho Jr Steelheads - Victor Carlsson (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) (Misconduct) 10 Minutes, 14:16

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 16 total

Idaho Jr Steelheads - 40 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 1 for 4

Idaho Jr Steelheads - 0 for 3

GOALTENDERS:

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 40 shots on goal 38 saves

#30 Danny Kowalski for Idaho Jr Steelheads: 33:57 Minutes played, 11 shots on goal 8 saves

#1 Sean Healy for Idaho Jr Steelheads: 26:03 Minutes played, 5 shots on goal 5 saves