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ECHL Idaho Steelheads

STEELHEADS: Game Day Storylines- vs Reading

October 28, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release


Steel Reel The Steelheads look to get back in the win column on Friday night against the Reading Royals after the visitors took the first game of this three-game set on Wednesday night, a 3-2 final at CenturyLink Arena. While the third period has been a strength for Idaho all season, it was Mike Pereira and the Royals who would find the only goal of the final period to drop the Steelheads to 1-1-1 on home ice to start the season.

The Steelheads jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period on goals by Will Merchant and Rob Linsmayer, only to see the Royals strike back twice within 41 seconds before the period was through with tallies from Ryan Penny and Derick Johnson. Royals rookie Steven Swavely earned an assist to extend his season-opening points streak to four games. Martin Ouellette out-dueled Steelheads rookie goaltender Landon Bow, making 32 saves in a winning effort.

A Fine Line... With Caleb Herbert's recall to AHL Texas earlier in the week, one of the question marks entering Wednesday night's game was which player would take his place on a line with Jefferson Dahl and Rob Linsmayer that was arguably Idaho's best against the Grizzlies. Rookie forward Will Merchant got that opportunity, and the line did not miss a beat. Merchant notched his first professional goal on the power play and added an assist for his first professional multi-point game. Linsmayer scored as well, as he and Dahl extended their points streaks to three games. Merchant would ring the post in the dying minutes of the third period, looking for the tie.

Quick Strikes... The Steelheads lost momentum on Wednesday night when the Royals turned a two-goal deficit into a tie game in just 41 seconds. The Steelheads have been somewhat vulnerable to such swings this season, having given up back-to-back goals several times this season in short time frames. Wednesday was the fifth time in five games that opponents scored two goals less than three minutes apart against Idaho.

Ewanyk Returns... Forward Travis Ewanyk will be available to the Steelheads once again after playing one game with AHL Texas. Ewanyk was returned to the Steelheads on Thursday and has a goal and three assists in his last two ECHL games.

Idaho Leaders Royals Leaders Goals: Three tied (2) Goals: Labelle (3) Assists: Dahl (5) Assists: Three tied (3) Points: Dahl/Linsmayer (6) Points: McCarthy/Penny (5) Plus/Minus: Dahl (+4) Plus/Minus: Penny (+6) Power Play Goals: Four tied (1) Power Play Goals: Labelle (3) Goals-Against Average: Komm (3.08) Goals-Against Average: Ouellette (2.50)

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