Steelheads Weekly
March 24, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Steelheads have secured first place in the West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) after their weekend sweep over the Long Beach Ice Dogs. Idaho won Friday's matchup 7-2, and Saturday's game 8-3. The team is currently 49-13-4 (102 points).
As the WCHL's highest seed, Idaho is guaranteed home ice advantage to start the each round of the WCHL's playoffs. The first round, beginning April 11th will be against the fourth place Fresno Falcons who beat the Steelheads in the final Taylor Cup round last year. If the team moves on to the next and final round, they will also open at home on April 25th. The team will announce dates and tickets prices later this week.
In the Record Books: The Idaho Steelheads set a league record for home wins this past weekend. The win was Idaho's 30th at the Bank of America Centre this season. The record prior to the 2002-03 season was set by San Diego in 1995-96 (29-1-0 in 30 GP), and tied by San Diego in 1996-97 (29-1-2 in 32 GP) and again by Idaho in 2001-02 (29-6-1 in 36 GP).
The Steelheads 48th win on 3/21/2003 against Long Beach set a team franchise record for wins and tied the franchise points record at 102 set in 2001-02. (The previous two seasons Idaho ended with 47 wins.) The record for most wins in a season is held by San Diego for their 53-10-1 record in 64 GP during the 1997-98 season. San Diego and Tacoma are tied for most points in a season with 111 (San Diego, 1997-98: 53-10-1; Tacoma, 1999-00: 51-12-9).
Top of Their League:
-Idaho is leading the WCHL with a record of 49-13-4 (102 points). Home: 30-2-1/Away: 19-11-3
-Idaho is 8-2-0 in their last 10 games
-Steelheads lead the league in goals (251), assists (419), and points (670)
-The Steelheads have the best overall power play record scoring 85 goals with 351 opportunities (24.2%). At home, the Steelheads are second at 25.3% having scored 46 times with 182 chances.
-Overall, Idaho is third in the league in their penalty kill ability holding the opposition to 48 goals in 305 chances (84.3%). At home, Idaho is also third at 83.9%, allowing 25in 155 chances.
Sizzling D: Defenseman Scott Swanson continues to lead the Steelheads in points. His 69 points makes him fifth in the league. He is also tops in the league in assists with 60. The league record for most assists by a defenseman in one season is 64 set by Scott Drevitch of the Tacoma Sabercats in 1997-98, and again in 1998-99. Chris Newans of the Anchorage Aces holds the league record for most points scored by a defenseman in a single season at 83 set in 1996-97.
Streaks: Adam Copeland has scored 18 points in his last 11 home games; and 7 assists in his last 4 games. The Steelheads have won their last 5 games (since 3/14/2003), and last four at home (since 3/07/2003)
Up Next: The Steelheads take on the San Diego Gulls for the regular season homestand finale, with games on Wednesday, March 12th, Friday, March 14th and Saturday, March 15th. Puck drops at 7:05 pm for each of the three games. Idaho is 6-4-1 against the Gulls this season.
Notable Honors: The Steelheads have been voted the top minor league team in the nation by In The Crease online magazine for the sixth consecutive week.
In the Community: The Steelheads Tom Scott Honda Make-A-Wish NHL Game Raffle during Saturday's game at the Bank of America Centre raised more than $4,600 to grant the wishes of children living with life threatening illnesses. The Steelheads deliver hot meals to homebound citizens every Monday for the Meals on Wheels program.
Listen Up: All Steelheads games can be heard live on ESPN Radio 1350 KTIK in Boise with Britt Talbert behind the mic, or by logging on to www.ktik.com. Television... Regular season home games will be seen on a next-day tape-delay at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Cable One Channel 17.
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ECHL Stories from March 24, 2003
- Storm Tracks - Toledo Walleye
- Komet's Captain Chaulk captures UHL Sher-Wood Player of the Week honor - Fort Wayne Komets
- Fourth Annual 'Tip-A-Condor' Monday at the Crystal Palace - Bakersfield Condors
- Season Ends for Norgren, Rosebush - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Steelheads Weekly - Idaho Steelheads
- Fankhouser wins Goalie of the Week - Arkansas RiverBlades
- Four Teams Battle for Three Berths - ECHL
- Bombers Split in Four-Game Week - Dayton Bombers
- Baxter Placed on Injured Reserve, Pietersma Activated - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Arkansas' Fankhouser Named East Coast Hockey League Goalie of the Week - ECHL
- Louisiana's McNeil Named InGlasCo East Coast Hockey League Player of the Week - ECHL
- Gulls Maintain Second Place Lead, But Bako Right on Their Tails - San Diego Gulls
- Road Trip Starts 1-2 - Alaska Aces
- 'Gades Hand out Team Awards - Richmond Renegades
- 'Gades Finish Season this Week - Richmond Renegades
- Blades Remain Tied with Pee Dee, Playoff Race Heats Up - Florida Everblades
- San Diego Back in Second Place - San Diego Gulls
- Greensboro Generals Weekly Intelligence Report - Greensboro Generals
- Sundberg recalled by Hartford - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Greenville Grrrowl on Charter Channel 10 - Greenville Grrrowl
- Royals Finish the Season Playing For the Fans - Reading Royals
- Homestand Ends on Positive Note - Fresno Falcons
- Bandits Move in on Third Place - Jackson Bandits
- Komets win Eastern Conference Crown - Fort Wayne Komets
- Mississippi Rallies to Remain in First Place - Mississippi Sea Wolves
- Post-Season Drive Continues with Four Divisional Games - Utah Grizzlies
- Chiefs Weekly Report - Johnstown Chiefs
- Ice Pilots Play Home Friday and Sunday - Pensacola Ice Pilots
- RiverBlades Take 3 of 4 - Arkansas RiverBlades
- Men O' War Clinch Playoff Spot - Burlington
- Kingfish Weekly - Baton Rouge Kingfish
- Pee Dee Pride Weekly - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
- Inferno Weekly - Columbia Inferno
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