ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Game Day Storylines- vs Rapid City

December 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Steel Reel

The Idaho Steelheads look to snap a four-game winless streak and bounce back from a 5-2 defeat when they face the Rapid City Rush on Friday night in the second tilt of a three-game series. The Steelheads have not lost consecutive games on home ice this season, while the Rush are looking to notch consecutive wins for the first time since their four-game winning streak in mid-November, the only other time this year in which the Rush strung together consecutive wins. The Rush are sixth in the Mountain Division, eight points behind Idaho with a game in hand.

The Steelheads opened the scoring just 2:01 into the first period on Wednesday with a goal from Kellan Lain, but Rapid City answered back with goals from Josh MacDonald and Ryan Walters. Joe Faust also found the back of the net for Idaho in the third period, but Brenden Walker's empty netter sealed a 5-2 Rush win. Branden Komm relieved Philippe Desrosiers at 10:08 of the first period, stopping 21 saves the rest of the way in a losing effort.

Lain Train...

Kellan Lain continues his hot stretch for the Steelheads, his goal on Wednesday his third tally and fourth point in the last five games. Lain was also a plus-1 in the game, his defensive game and work in the face-off circle making him an important player for Head Coach Neil Graham. Lain's five goals are just three shy of his career-high for a season, when he scored seven for AHL Utica and one for the Vancouver Canucks during the 2013-14 campaign.

'W'atch Out...

Ryan Walters and Brenden Walker had big nights for the Rush on Wednesday, Walters netting two goals and Walker posting a four-point night. Josh MacDonald also extended his goal-scoring streak to three games. In two meetings between the Steelheads and Rush this season, that trio has combined for seven goals and 13 points.

Recalibrate the Kill...

The Steelheads penalty kill surrendered three goals on Wednesday night, their highest total against in a game this season. The Steelhead PK has hovered around the tenth spot in the league rankings in recent weeks, but after a strong ten-game stretch in late November and early December the kill has hit a bump. During their recent four-game winless streak, the Steelheads' penalty kill is 13-of-19. Idaho has surrendered multiple power play goals in a game just three times this season.

Idaho Leaders Rush Leaders

Goals: Luciani/Dahl (9) Goals: MacDonald (12)

Assists: Dahl (18) Assists: Walters (19)

Points: Dahl (27) Points: Walters (27)

Plus/Minus: Faust/Bell (+5) Plus/Minus: Mastrodicasa (+2)

Power Play Goals: Merchant (5) Power Play Goals: Three tied (3)

Goals-Against Average: Komm (2.63) Goals-Against Average: Morrison (1.90)

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 16, 2016


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