Idaho Steelheads Slip Out of Division Lead
The Idaho Steelheads lost two of three games this past week in Kansas City falling out of the top spot in the Mountain Division of the ECHL replaced by the Tulsa Oilers.
Tulsa leads Idaho by two points with Utah third three points back. Here now from the Idaho Steelheads is a summary of last week a look ahead to this week and some current Steelhead statistics:
LAST WEEK…
Wednesday, February 27 @ Kansas City Mavericks: 4-3 L
Shots: Steelheads 34, Mavericks 37
PP: Steelheads 1-for-3, Mavericks 0-for-1
The Steelheads couldn’t find the final answer in a 4-3 loss to the Mavericks from Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. After the Mavericks scored the opening goal in the first period, forward Reid Petryk (11:01 2nd) answered back before both the Mavericks and forward Alex Dahl (5:09 3rd) continued the back-and-forth into a 2-2 game. The Mavericks scored twice to jump back ahead, 4-2. Defenseman Charlie Dodero (PP, EA, 19:47 3rd) brought the road side within one, 4-3, but the Mavericks held on for the win. Tomas Sholl (19-10-0) saved 33 of 36 shots in the loss.
Friday, March 1 @ Kansas City Mavericks: 4-1 W
Shots: Steelheads 35, Mavericks 30
PP: Steelheads 0-for-3, Mavericks 0-for-6
The Steelheads pushed ahead in the third period to take a 4-1 win over the Mavericks from Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. Scoring didn’t open until forward Steve McParland (6:52 2nd) netted the opening tally for the 1-0 lead in the middle frame. The Mavericks leveled the score, 1-1, before the Steelheads pulled away. Forward Kyle Schempp (SH, 1:04 3rd) forced the game-winner early before forwards A.J. White (5:56 3rd) and Mitch Moroz (EN, 19:48 3rd) sealed the 4-1 win with two insurance tallies. Tomas Sholl (20-10-0) saved 29 of 30 shots in the win.
Saturday, March 2 @ Kansas City Mavericks: 2-1 L
Shots: Steelheads 36, Mavericks 35
PP: Steelheads 0-for-3, Mavericks 0-for-6
The Steelheads fell 2-1 to the Mavericks in the final game of the season series from Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. After the Mavericks scored the lone goal of the first period, forward Alex Dahl (1:51 2nd) answered back in the next frame to tie the game, 1-1. A shorthanded goal by the Mavericks helped seal the 2-1 win. Colton Point (5-2-1) halted 33 of 35 shots in the loss.
THIS WEEK…
Wednesday, March 6 vs. Wichita Thunder – 7:10 p.m. MT
Friday, March 8 vs. Wichita Thunder – 7:10 p.m. MT
Saturday, March 9 vs. Wichita Thunder – 7:10 p.m. MT
The Steelheads welcome the Wichita Thunder to CenturyLink Arena for the first and only home meeting of the season to close out the 6-game season set. The Steelheads have dropped two of three meetings against the Thunder but have points in two of three, posting a 1-1-1 record in three games in Wichita. The Steelheads have dropped four of their last seven games in the series, holding a 4-3-2 record against the Thunder and a 1-0-1 record at CenturyLink Arena.
STEEL STATS…
- Elgin Pearce led the Steelheads with three points on the weekend despite ending a four-game point streak. Pearce has been a team leader as of late with points in six of his last eight games, posting eight points (3g, 5a) in that span.
- Tomas Sholl earned his 20th win of the season last week, putting him two wins behind the top-10 for single-season Steelheads goaltender wins. Sholl leads the ECHL in save percentage (.929) and is third in wins (20) and goals-against average (2.22).
- The Steelheads penalty kill was perfect in all three games last week, going 10-for-10 against Kansas City. The Steelheads have now killed 18-straight attempts on the road, spanning four games, as well as four of five games overall (18-for-19, 94.7%).
Team Leaders:
GOALS: 21 – Steve McParland
ASSISTS: 30 – A.J. White
POINTS: 46 –Steve McParland
PP GOALS: 9 – Reid Petryk
SH GOALS: 2 – Steve McParland/Kyle Schempp
GW GOALS: 5 – Brad McClure/Reid Petryk
PIMS: 279 – Kale Kessy
PLUS/MINUS: +29 – Keegan Kanzig
SHOTS: 192 – Steve McParland
WINS: 20 – Tomas Sholl
GAA: 2.22 – Tomas Sholl
SAVE %: .929 – Tomas Sholl
Mountain Division Standings:
1. Tulsa 34-20-4-2, 74 pts
2. Steelheads 34-20-2-2, 72 pts
3. Utah 32-18-4-3, 71 pts
4. Kansas City 29-23-3-1, 62 pts
5. Wichita 22-27-6-3, 53 pts
6. Rapid City 22-29-5-3, 52 pts
7. Allen 21-34-4-2, 48 pts
The Steelheads return to CenturyLink Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 6 at 7:10 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder.