BOISE-- The Idaho Steelheads saw their season come to an end on Friday night, falling 4-0 to the Alaska Aces at Qwest Arena. With the win, Alaska eliminated Idaho from the Kelly Cup playoffs, sweeping the Steelheads four games to none.
Both teams battled to a 0-0 draw after one period of play, as both goaltenders blanked the opposing teams. Alaska broke the tie in the second period of play when Scott Howes scrapped for the puck behind the net and beat goalie Jerry Kuhn on the wrap-around to go up 1-0. Curtis Fraser added another Aces goal with just over a minute left in the period, knocking a shot off of Kuhn and into the net.
Idaho would toil offensively in the third period, but Aces goalie Gerald Coleman was up to the task, stopping 27 shots on the night to uphold the shutout. Alaska would add two more empty-net goals late in the game to secure the 4-0 victory.
Idaho ended the night 0-5 on the power play, and 0-12 on the series with a man advantage.
