Steelheads wrap up win with a bow

Steelheads wrap up win with a bow February 21, 2002

By Chadd Cripe
The Idaho Statesman

Derek Paget

Three stars
1 -- Derek Paget. He returned from a seven-week layoff to score two goals on his girlfriend´s birthday.
2 -- Blair Allison. Goalie stopped 25 shots for his second shutout. Believe it or not, that ties a team record.
3 -- Terry Ryan. Veteran forward dispensed a little hockey justice -- laying a beating on Colorado´s Darcy Johnson just 3:17 into the game. Johnson faced Idaho for the first time since knocking out captain Jeremy Mylymok on Dec. 19 with an illegal hit.

"Happy birthday, Wendi."

"Thank you, fans."

"Look at me, docs."

Derek Paget´s second two-goal game of the season said all those things Wednesday night at the Bank of America Centre.

It also fueled the Idaho Steelheads´ 18th straight home win and sixth overall, a 3-0 decision over their nemesis, Colorado.

"I had a couple butterflies in my stomach not having played in seven weeks," said Paget, who returned from a torn medial collateral ligament. "I was antsy to play and a little concerned about my knee. But it felt good."

While Paget was out, fans donated more than $16,000 to cover medical expenses for his girlfriend. Wendi Lund was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer late last year. She lives in Boise with Paget.

Lund, 28, was in the arena Wednesday and she asked Paget for a birthday present few can provide: a goal.

"I said I´d try to get her a goal; she wanted one," Paget said. "I didn´t get her the world´s best birthday present, so that will help."

Paget was injured Jan. 2 against Anchorage.

Coach John Olver didn´t decide to activate him until Wednesday afternoon because Paget´s knee brace hadn´t arrived.

Olver moved Scott Burt (hand) to the injured reserve in Paget´s place. Burt will be eligible to return next week.

"(Paget) had good speed and jump," Olver said. "He really provided a spark for us."

Paget scored 13 goals in 30 games before the injury. He´s tied for fourth on the team with 15 now, despite missing 19 contests.

"That´s just luck," he said.

Paget scored 10 goals in 27 college games last season. He´s popular with his teammates, who were happy to have him back.

"I don´t think anyone expected him to come in here and score on the pace he did," goaltender Blair Allison said. "He comes back and picks up right where he left off. It´s great to see for him, and great for the team."

Paget stole the spotlight from fan favorite Cal Ingraham. The Steelheads handed out Ingraham bobblehead dolls to the first 2,500 fans.

About 300 fans were lined up when the B of A doors opened at 5:50 p.m. The certificates needed to claim a doll on the way out were handed out by 6:25, 35 minutes before the game.

The Steelheads sold 4,977 tickets, 419 more than last Wednesday, which ensured more bobbleheads in the future. The team gave out Bonk dolls Jan. 18.

"We´ll definitely do it again," said John Cunningham, the Steelheads´ vice president of business operations.

Idaho (37-11-5) increased its lead over Colorado (30-17-6) in the WCHL Northern Division to 13 points. The Gold Kings had won eight of the 10 previous meetings this season.

The Steelheads were intense, emotional and physical from the start.

"We´re aware of our record against Colorado," Olver said. "Our team took a really serious approach to preparing for this game."

They also took care of a little problem that had been gnawing at them since Dec. 19. That´s when Colorado´s Darcy Johnson knocked captain Jeremy Mylymok unconscious and wrecked his knee with an illegal hit.

Johnson had been suspended for the past five Idaho-Colorado games. Terry Ryan bloodied him in a first-period fight, Mylymok fought him in the second period and Jeremy Yablonski tried to engage him in the third period, but Gold King Dewayne Blais intervened.

But that was the secondary message on this night.

Paget´s two first-period goals, Mylymok´s one-timer in the second period and Allison´s almost-effortless shutout gave Idaho a victory it needed.

Idaho travels to Tacoma this weekend for a pair of games, then returns home next week for two more with Colorado on March 1-2.

They´re also likely to meet the Gold Kings in the playoffs for the second straight year.

"The guys were fired up and wanted to come out and make this like a playoff game," Paget said, "and show them that they aren´t going to win in our building."

Or on Wendi´s birthday.

(NOTES: The Gold Kings also feature several former Tiger Sharks players. Matt Oates added an assits on Mylymok's eight goal of the season for Idaho. Dan Shermerhorn, who was also called for an elbowing penalty in the first, assisted on Paget's first goal.

Former Shark Adam Copeland picked up a tripping penalty in the second for the Steelheads, while Colin Chaulk recorded up a "Holding the Stick" penalty for the Gold Kings in the third.)