Off the Hook: Weekly Update #18

?FOUR?GING AHEADThe Steelheads have their work cut out for them this week as they embark on a four-game road trip, beginning tonight in Utah. After a solo contest against the Grizzlies, who are five points behind the Steelheads, Idaho travels to Canada to take on the West Division?s top seed Victoria Salmon Kings, currently three points ahead of Idaho. The three-game series, north of the border, begins Wednesday and is sure to be a hard-fought battle with first place on the line. With only 20 games remaining in the 2007-08 regular season, teams are positioning for playoff seeds. Head to Head Record 2007-08: Idaho 3-1-1-0 / Victoria 2-3-0-0 Victoria 0 @ Idaho 3 (Nov 24 2007) FinalVictoria 1 @ Idaho 5 (Nov 23 2007) FinalVictoria 4 @ Idaho 1 (Nov 21 2007) FinalVictoria 2 @ Idaho 4 (Oct 20 2007) FinalVictoria 2 @ Idaho 1 (Oct 19 2007) Final OTSTEELHEADS AT A GLANCEIdaho Steelheads: 28-16-8 (64 pts.), 2nd West; 3rd National Conf., 8th ECHLNATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS as of 2/18/08 WEST GP W L T PTS PCTVictoria Salmon Kings 50 31 14 5 67 0.670Idaho Steelheads 52 28 16 8 64 0.615Utah Grizzlies 53 27 21 5 59 0.557Alaska Aces 48 24 19 5 53 0.552Phoenix RoadRunners 51 18 27 6 42 0.412 PACIFIC GP W L T PTS PCTLas Vegas Wranglers 51 34 10 7 75 0.735Fresno Falcons 47 27 12 8 62 0.660Stockton Thunder 50 19 28 3 41 0.410Bakersfield Condors 50 16 25 9 41 0.410UPCOMING THIS WEEKMon. 2/18 @ Utah Grizzlies @ 7:05 pm MSTWed. 2/20 @ Victoria Salmon Kings @ 8:05 pm MSTFri. 2/22 @ Victoria Salmon Kings @ 8:05 pm MSTSat. 2/23 @ Victoria Salmon Kings @ 8:05 pm MSTA LOOK BACKOf a possible six points last week, the Steelheads claimed three against the West Division?s last place Phoenix RoadRunners at Qwest Arena. Highlighting the week, ECHL All-Star goalie Kellen Briggs notched his second shutout on the season Saturday, stopping all 34 shots he faced. Zaba?s perfect 6-0 record since joining the Steelheads on Jan. 18 was broken as he recorded his first loss Wednesday, stopping 29 of 32 shots, and a subsequent overtime loss Friday making 31 saves on 36 attempts.Wed. 2/13 vs PHX: L3-2Fri. 2/15 vs PHX: OTL 5-4 Sat. 2/16 vs PHX: W 6-0MILESTONE 200Steelheads Head Coach Derek Laxdal recorded his 200th regular season professional coaching win Saturday night with a 6-0 victory over the Phoenix RoadRunners. Ironically, Laxdal recorded his 100th coaching win against the same RoadRunners on Dec. 31, 2007. As a head coach to the Central Hockey League?s Witchita Thunder (2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05) and the ECHL?s Idaho Steelheads (2004-05, 2005-06, and this season), Laxdal?s record amounts to 200-118-30.STEELHEADS BITESTeam:• Steelheads are 7-2-1 in their last 10 home games? Steelheads are 13-0-1 in 14 games when they lead at the second intermission? Steelheads have scored at least one power play goal in each their last six gamesIndividual: ? John Lammers is riding a nine-game point streak tallying 19 (13g-6a), a career-high and Steelheads? season-high? Taggart Desmet has two goals and six assists during his five-game scoring streak? Newcomer Andrew Martin has three points (1g-2a) in three games since joining the SteelheadsBOM?S AWAY, BUT RALLO?S BACKMark Bomersback and Greg Rallo were the Steelheads scoring leaders when each received a call up from the American Hockey League. Rallo, with 31 games-played as a Steelhead had 35 points (17g-18a) before leaving for the Albany River Rats on Dec. 16. Bomersback played his last game with Idaho on Dec. 27 and left to go to Idaho?s affiliate Iowa Stars with 30 ECHL points (16g-14a). Rallo who was returned to Idaho effective Feb. 17 and expected to play in tonight?s game against the Grizzlies in Utah, saw action in five games, accumulating no points. With Iowa, Bomersback has so far played 14 games, tallying 6 points (2g-4a).BOISE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER INJURY REPORT/TRANSACTIONS2/17 Add Greg Rallo, F returned from Albany (AHL) 2/16 Delete Alexander Naurov, F placed on the 3-day IR2/12 Add Andrew R. Martin, F activated off IRGALBRAITH SUSPENSIONThe ECHL announced today that it has suspended Idaho left wing Lance Galbraith for six games as a result of his actions in ECHL Game #609 against Phoenix on Feb. 15. Galbraith is suspended under Rule 29 Supplemental Discipline. The ECHL veteran and Steelheads? two-time Kelly Cup Champion missed Idaho?s game vs. Phoenix (Feb. 16) and will miss Idaho?s games at Utah (Feb. 18), at Victoria (Feb. 20), at Victoria (Feb. 22), at Victoria (Feb. 23) and vs. Bakersfield (Feb. 27). Galbraith currently leads the Steelheads in scoring with 53 points (17g-36a) in 51 games played. He also leads the league in penalty minutes with 211.PRACTICE SCHEDULEThe Steelheads are out of town all week.BROADCAST INFOListen to all 72 games with ECHL?s Broadcaster of the Year Joe O?Donnell calling the action. Joe is joined in the booth this season by current and former 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 Joe and co-host Will Hoenike talk all things Steelheads.All home and road games can be watched through a link on the Steelheads website provided by B2 Networks for $6 a game, or buy The Power Play Season Pass season pass to catch every game for $140.TICKET INFOThe 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.- www.idahosteelheads.com -