
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)
ECHL Stories from October 21, 2016
- Mallards Hold off Rush - Quad City Mallards
- Tulsa Dominates Fuel in Home Opener - Tulsa Oilers
- Americans Earn a Split with Atlanta After 3-1 Win - Allen Americans
- Special Teams Burn Fuel in 6-1 Road Loss to Oilers - Indy Fuel
- Walleye Edge Beast 6-5 in a Shootout in Action-Packed Home Opener - Brampton Beast
- Royals Suffer First Loss of the Year, 5-1, to Manchester - Reading Royals
- Walleye Take out the Beast - Toledo Walleye
- GAME RECAP: Allen Defeats Atlanta 3-1 to Salvage Season Series Split - Atlanta Gladiators
- Monarchs Topple Royals, 5-1 - Manchester Monarchs
- Mavericks Fall in First Visit of the Season to Wichita - Kansas City Mavericks
- Game Recap: K-Wings Topped by Komets in Back-And-Forth Clash - Kalamazoo Wings
- Admirals Fall in Tight One against Elmira - Norfolk Admirals
- Jackals Overcome Admirals in Home Opener - Elmira Jackals
- Stingrays Name Captains for 2016-17 - South Carolina Stingrays
- Solar Bears Add Three Players from Toronto to Roster - Orlando Solar Bears
- Thunder Add Dennis Kravchenko - Adirondack Thunder
- Laurikainen Returned to Admirals - Norfolk Admirals
- Kea, Geiger Assigned to Jackals from Rochester - Elmira Jackals
- Zombies on Ice, Presented by NYZ Orlando Set for October 29 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Beast and Team Captain Brandon Marino Launch New Outreach Program - Brampton Beast
- Opening Night Festivities - Adirondack Thunder
- Quad City Mallards Game Day - Quad City Mallards
- Bobby Gertsakis and Matt Chiarantano Released from SPC - Reading Royals
- Mavericks Game Preview - October 21 at Wichita - Kansas City Mavericks
- Game Day Storylines- vs Utah - Idaho Steelheads
- Jackals Begin Home Schedule with Laser Show, Match with Admirals - Elmira Jackals
- Monarchs Game Day Capsule - Manchester Monarchs
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