ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Game Day Storylines- vs Utah

October 21, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Steel Reel

The Steelheads look to get into the win column for the first time this season on Friday night when they host the Utah Grizzlies and open the doors at CenturyLink Arena for the 20th time in their history. Idaho also looks for a measure of revenge against a Utah team that took each of last week's opening games at Maverik Center. The Steelheads are 7-4-2 in home openers during the ECHL era.

Neither team has played since last Saturday, when the Grizzlies skated to a 3-0 win over the Steelheads cemented by goaltender Ryan Faragher's 32 save shutout performance. The Steelheads fired 17 shots on goal in the third period, but couldn't find a way past Faragher. Jon Puskar scored his second goal in two games for the Grizzlies, while Brandon McNally and Shane Walsh added their first goals of the season. The rookie Walsh has points in each of his first two pro games.

Welcome Home...

The Steelheads are looking to boost their offense, and CenturyLink Arena was a high-scoring haven in 2015-16. The Steelheads scored 114 goals on home ice last year compared to 89 on the road. The Steelheads also had their highest-scoring game of last season in Boise in a matchup against the Grizzlies, scoring eight goals on December 16th. The Steelheads were 5-1-1 last year against the Grizzlies at CenturyLink Arena.

Killer Performance

The Steelheads had the second-ranked penalty kill in the ECHL last season, and they're off to a good start in the first two games of this campaign. Idaho killed off all eight Utah advantages in last Saturday's game, including two separate 5-on-3 Grizzlies power plays. Coupled with their 5-for-6 showing in the opener, the Steelheads are at 92.9 percent. The Grizzlies have been equally strong, shutting down 10-of-11 Idaho power plays. The Steelheads were 22nd on the power play last season at 15.1 percent.

Milestone in Sight...

Rob Linsmayer remains two points shy of 100 for his professional career. Linsmayer collected four goals and 11 assists against the Grizzlies last season.

Idaho Leaders Grizzlies Leaders

Goals: Faust (1) Goals: Eick/Puskar (2)

Assists: Basaraba/Walsh (1) Assists: Banwell/Aubin (2)

Points: Three tied (1) Points: Puskar (3)

Plus/Minus: Nine tied (0) Plus/Minus: Banwell (+5)

Power Play Goals: Faust (1) Power Play Goals: Samuels-Thomas (1)

Goals-Against Average: Komm (3.08) Goals-Against Average: Boyle (0.00)

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 21, 2016


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