ECHL Idaho Steelheads

Off The Hook: Steelheads Update

March 24, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


BOISE, Idaho ¾ The ice is heating up at Qwest Arena as the Steelheads (39-22-2-2) embark on their final seven games of the 2008-09 season, including three this week against the Pacific Division's Ontario Reign (36-27-3-2).

Idaho will host the Reign all dressed in pink. Joining forces with St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI), the Steelheads will host a popular fundraiser, "Pink in the Rink," for all three games this week to help women get the testing they need to prevent breast cancer. All funds raised will go to help women who can't afford life-saving mammograms or other testing procedures.

POSTSEASON POSITIONING PUSH

Though the Steelheads still have the division title in their sights, a first or second finish would secure the first two games are played at home. The top two teams in the division have home ice advantage for the 2009 ECHL RC Willey Kelly Cup Playoffs; two at home, three on the road, and the final two at home.

The three leaders in the National Conference belong to the West Division:

Alaska = 87 points and 67 games played: best the Aces can do? Finish 97 points.

Idaho = 82 points and 65 games played: best the Steelheads can do? Finish 96 points.

Victoria = 77 points and 68 games played: best the Salmon Kings can do? Finish 85 points.

What's left?

Alaska plays its remaining five games on the road: two in Las Vegas, one in Phoenix, two in Utah.

Idaho plays its remaining seven games at home: three versus Ontario, four versus Phoenix.

Victoria plays its remaining four games on the road: one at Stockton, two at Bakersfield, one at Stockton.

NEW FACES IN GOOD GRACES

Coach Laxdal is pleased with his recent rookie additions. Bowling Green product Brandon Svendsen has two goals and four assists for six points in his first four professional games. And, Union College seniors Matt Cook and Brendan Milnamow jumped into the swing of things in Victoria with Cook tallying an assist in his first three pro games, and defenseman Milnamow making a positive impression with his size and grit in just two pro games. Unfortunately, D-Man Matt Sorteberg from Quinnipiac could be done after suffering a possible season-ending injury.

HAPPY HOMECOMING

Idaho's McGregor Named In Glas Co ECHL Player Of The Week

The "Island" was good to Steelheads leading scorer, Bryan McGregor, who managed seven points (5g-2a) in his last two games over the weekend in Victoria, and he became the second Steelhead to score a hat trick this season. McGregor, or B-Mac Thriller as he's known, played Junior Hockey on Vancouver Island for the Cowichan Valley Capitals (just north of Victoria) and was teammates there with Steelhead Ben Nelson. McGregor has 59 points (29g-30a) in 59 games played with Idaho this season, 60 total ECHL points.

SPRING BREAK PROMOTION - $5 KIDS TICKETS

Looking for a place to take the kids during Spring Break? The Steelheads are offering $5 JR tickets (ages 2-16) for this week's games. $5 JR tickets are located in the P5 section of Qwest Arena - valid this Wed, Fri and Sat ONLY. Click here to purchase, or visit www.idahosteelheads.com or call (208) 331-TIXS or visit the box office at Qwest Arena.

PLAYOFF TICKETS

The Steelheads are offering a new "Pay as we Play' ticket plan for the upcoming 2009 RC Willey Kelly Cup Playoffs. Fans can catch all of the Steelheads playoff action - and save up to 35% off the walk up ticket price. Call 383-0080 for more information. Stay tuned...possible playoff dates will be announced soon.

IDAHO STEELHEADS AT-A-GLANCE

82 Points; 2nd West Division, 2nd National Conference, 3rd Overall

Overall: 39-22-2-2 (82 points)

Home: 19-9-0-1 (home)

Away: 20-13-2-1 (road)

Streak: 2-0-0-0

Past 10: 6-4-0-1

ECHL NATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS

West GP W L OTL PTS PCT

Alaska Aces 67 42 22 3 87 0.649

Idaho Steelheads 65 39 22 4 82 0.631

Victoria Salmon Kings 68 35 26 7 77 0.566

Utah Grizzlies 67 26 25 16 68 0.507

Phoenix RoadRunners 65 28 32 5 61 0.469

Pacific GP W L OTL PTS PCT

Ontario Reign 68 36 27 5 77 0.566

Las Vegas Wranglers 67 31 28 8 70 0.522

Bakersfield Condors 67 30 30 7 67 0.500

Stockton Thunder 66 30 30 6 66 0.500

STEELHEADS BITES

Goaltender Matt Climie made his 40th appearance this season in Sunday's 4-2 W @ VIC

Veteran defenseman Darrell Hay had a four-point night (1g-3a) on Saturday in Victoria to tie a Steelheads individual season-high

WANDELL SEEING STARS

Tom Wandell, who scored three goals in three games with the Steelheads during the 2007-08 season, was recalled by the NHL's Dallas Stars from Timra IK in the Swedish Elite League yesterday. Wandell, 22, made his NHL debut Dec. 10 vs. Phoenix and scored his first NHL goal in his second career game, Dec. 12 vs. Detroit. He has appeared in four games for the Stars this season, from Dec. 10 - 16, recording one goal. Dallas is Idaho's NHL affiliate.

ROSTER TRANSACTIONS (3/17/09 - 3/24/09)

3/21/09 Add Tyler Shelast, F assigned by Dallas (NHL)

3/21/09 Delete Riley Weselowski, F transferred to the 30-day IR

3/20/09 Add Matt Cook, F signed contract

3/20/09 Add Brendan Milnamow, D signed contract

3/20/09 Delete Kory Scoran, D placed on the 3-day IR

3/19/09 Add Matt Sorteberg, D signed contract

3/19/09 Delete Brett Ward, D released from amateur tryout agreement

3/18/09 Add Brett Ward, D signed amateur tryout agreement

3/18/09 Add Mike Kneeland, F signed contract

3/18/09 Delete Mike Kneeland, F released from amateur tryout agreement

3/17/09 Add Brandon Svendsen, F signed contract

3/17/09 Delete Derek Paget, F placed on the 7-day IR

STEELHEADS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Wednesday, Mar. 25: Practice at Qwest Arena 10-11am; GAME NIGHT vs ONTARIO; 7:10 PM MT

Thursday, Mar. 26: at Qwest Arena 10:30

Friday, Mar. 27: Practice at Qwest Arena 10-11am; GAME NIGHT vs ONTARIO; 7:10 PM MT

Saturday, Mar. 28: Practice at Qwest Arena 10-11am; GAME NIGHT vs ONTARIO; 7:10 PM MT

Sunday, Mar. 29: Day Off

Monday, Mar. 30: Practice at Qwest Arena 10-11am

REEL REWIND

The Steelheads captured 12 of a possible 14 points in seven meetings with Victoria this season; in those meetings, the Salmon Kings only garnered three points

Last week's results:

3/18 @ VIC (4-3 SOW)

3/20 @ VIC (2-0 L)

3/21 @ VIC (7-1 W)

3/22 @ VIC (4-2 W)

BROADCAST INFO

Listen to all 72 games with Doug Plagens calling the action. Doug is joined in the booth this season by Steelheads players who will provide color commentary.

Tune in to ESPN Radio 1350 KTIK the Ticket on games nights as well as Monday though Friday at 6:00 pm for the Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show as Doug and Will Hoenike talk all things Steelheads. TONIGHT: Doug will have the NHL Network's Brian Duff on as a guest. Brian also blogs for The Hockey News.

All home and road games can be watched through a link on the Steelheads website provided by B2 Networks for $6 a game.

TICKET INFO

The Idaho Steelheads offer a variety of ticket plans to fit any schedule or pocket book. Call (208) 383-0080 to find out more. For day of game tickets, visit idahosteelheads.com and use the print at home feature, or call (208) 331-TIXS or visit the box office at Qwest Arena.

STEELHEADS GAME SCHEDULE

The following is a schedule of games left to be played in the 2008-09 season:

OPPONENT DAY DATE

66 Ontario Wed 3/25/2009

67 Ontario Fri 3/27/2009

68 Ontario Sat 3/28/2009

69 Phoenix Tue 3/31/2009

70 Phoenix Wed 4/1/2009

71 Phoenix Fri 4/3/2009

72 Phoenix Sat 4/4/2009

Check out the Idaho Steelheads Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 24, 2009


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