Joe Rybar's power-play goal late in the second period was the difference as the Idaho Steelheads quieted the San Diego Gulls with a 2-0 victory, before 3,546 at the Bank of America Centre Tuesday night. Idaho was 1 for 10 on the power play, while the Gulls were 0 for 9.

Teams skated to a scoreless first period thanks to the solid goaltending of Trevor Koenig and Blair Allison, arguably the two best netminders in the West Coast Hockey League. Both the Gulls and Steelheads had four power play opportunities, which included two-man advantages for both sides, but Koenig and Allison kept the game knotted at zero heading into the second period.

San Diego (3-1-0) got into penalty trouble again in the second period, and the Steelheads (3-1-1) were finally able to draw first blood 15:55 into the middle frame. Idaho found itself with a five-minute major power play after Sandro Sbrocca was called for boarding defenseman Jonathan Shockey. On the ensuing man advantage Rybar picked up a rebound off a shot from Wes Dorey and beat Koenig for his first goal of the season. Dorey and Derek Paget earned the assists. The 1-0 deficit marked the first time this season that the Blue and Orange have trailed in a game.

The Gulls had two golden opportunities to tie the game in the third period, but the Steelheads (as they did all night), foiled San Diego's attack. Dennis Purdie had a chance on a short-handed breakaway, but Allison came up with a crucial pad save. Late in the game, the Gulls had a five-minute major power play, but came up empty. Dan Shermerhorn iced the game with an empty net goal with 31 seconds left. Cory Morgan assisted on Shermerhorn's second goal of the year.

Notepad

Idaho out-shot San Diego 14-1 in the second period... The Gulls have been short-handed 39 times in their four games this season... Dennis Mullen served the second of his two-game suspension tonight... Joe Bianchi remains on injured reserved... Marc Busenburg, Sylvain Deschatelets and Rob Voltera all remain with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears...