Bulls Earn A Split As They Score Four In The Third: Game Recap
Images from the Idaho Steelheads vs San Francisco Bulls Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. CHRIS BUTLER — cbutler@idahostatesman.com
The Bulls earned the split as they scored five unanswered goals as they pound the Steelheads six to three. The Bulls again dug themselves into a two goal deficit early in the first, but a late first period goal by the Bulls pulled it back to a single goal. They would trade goals in the second to keep it at a single goal difference. The Bulls would erupt in the third as they were able to find the back of the net four different times to pull away. Rob Kwiet and Peter Sivak each had to goals apiece to pace the Bulls attack. Thomas Heemskerk redeemed himself following a rough first game back from the injured reserved as he saved 41 of the 44 shots he face as he was under fire all evening.
First Period:
Another slow start for the Bulls sees them fall in to an early hole. The game got off to a rocking start as Dylan King dropped the gloves with Mike Towns just 20 seconds into the game. Rob Kwiet would give the Steelheads the first power play just 36 seconds later, but Heemskerk and the Bulls’ penalty kill would keep the game scoreless in the opening minutes. The Bulls would commit a defensive zone turnover which would led to the first goal of the game as Tyler Gron powered it past Heemskerk for his 10th on the year. The Steelheads would increase their lead to two with four minutes remaining in the period as David de Kastrozza banged home his 15th on the year. The Bulls would answer back in just under a minute as Alex Tuckerman was able to sneak one past Josh Robinson to bring San Francisco to within one. The Steelheads out shot the Bulls 14 to 11.
Second Period:
The Bulls came out charging in the second as they tried to build off their late first period goal. A Christian Ouellet slashing penalty would lead to the first power play of the period. The Steelheads would not wait long as de Kastrozza would need just five seconds to extend their lead as he would deflect Jace Coyle’s point shot past Heemskerk for his 16th on the year. The Bulls would get a quick answer as it took just three minutes for Peter Sivak to pull the Bulls back to within one with his 24th goal on the season. Dean Ouellet picked up the helper on the goal. Thomas Heemskerk played exceptional in the period as he stopped 15 shots and his lone blemish came on the power play deflection goal. The Steelheads would take back to back penalties in the final minute of the period to set the Bulls up with a crucial five on three power play. The Bulls out shot the Steelheads 17 to 16.
Third Period:
The third period would be all San Francisco as the offense came alive for its best period of the season. Rob Kwiet took advantage of the remaining time on the five on three penalty as he tied the game with his ninth goal of the season. Kwiet was not finished a little over five minutes later he would find the back of the net again as he blistered a slap shot pass Robinson for his second of the game and his 10th of the season giving the Bulls their first lead of the game. Kris Belan would capitalize on a late breakaway chance to give the Bulls a much needed insurance goal with his eighth of the year. Peter Sivak would put the icing on the cake as he capped the four goal with the empty net goal for his 25th goal of the season. Thomas Heemskerk again was masterful as he stopped all 14 shots faced in the period never allowing the Steelheads to regain some momentum. The Steelheads out shot the Bulls 14 to eight in the third and 44 to 36 in the game.
A much better game offensively for the Bulls as they poured in six goals. Rob Kwiet led the charge as he scored the game tying and game winning goal in the third with his ninth and 10th goals on the year. Peter Sivak also added his 24th and 25th goals on the year as he took over sole possession of the team lead. Alex Tuckerman and Kris Belan also chipped in with their fifth and eighth goals respectively. Dean and Christian Ouellet both were credited with two assists in the game as well. Thomas Heemskerk was rock solid as he had an excellent bounce back game he came up with big saves all night on the way to a 41 save performance. The penalty kill got tagged for another goal tonight, but they kill off four of the five chances the had on the night. The Bulls at 19-25-7 are now in a tie for the seventh seed as Utah fell to Las Vegas. The Steelheads drop to 32-14-5 on the season. The Bulls travel to Stockton on Saturday as they kick off a weekend home and home series with the rival Thunder.
Three Stars:
- Rob Kwiet – San Francisco
- David de Kastrozza – Idaho
- Dean Ouellet – San Francisco