Off the Hook: Weekly Update #20

PLAYOFF BERTHThe Idaho Steelheads, coming off their sixth consecutive weekend game sellout, officially clinched a playoff berth gaining five points in the ECHL standings with two wins and a shootout loss in last week?s three-game series versus Bakersfield. Idaho, now tied with Victoria for first place in the National Conference, West Division, will battle for top seeding in postseason play and their chance to defend their coveted Kelly Cup Championship.IN THE RECORD BOOKSSaturday?s 8-3 victory over the Bakersfield Condors at Qwest Arena has made it to the ECHL record books as Marty Flichel did something that hasn?t been done in 12 years, nearly to the day. Flichel is the 13th player in ECHL history to register six assists and the first since Jim Brown of Knoxville on Mar. 2, 1996 against Birmingham. The ECHL record is seven assists by Joe Ferras of Richmond against Erie on Dec. 23, 1990 and Derek Clancey of Columbus against Johnstown on Jan. 13, 1996.The assists tally breaks a Steelheads all-time team record of five, which had only been done once since Idaho joined the ECHL, and only twice when the team played in the West Coast Hockey League. Lance Galbraith had five helpers on Feb. 24, 2007 vs. Utah, and Todd Robinson (Feb. 4, 2000 @ San Diego) and Rob Dumas (Jan. 12, 1999 @ Tacoma) turned the trick in the WCHL. In addition to six assists, Flichel tallied a goal Saturday, making his game-high seven points the most ever by a Steelheads player. He joins Aaron Slattengren of Augusta for the league-lead in points, who had four goals and three assists in a 9-1 win at Pensacola on Nov. 27, 2007. The seven points by Slattengren was the most by an ECHL player since Nov. 1, 2001 when J.F. Houle of New Orleans had seven points (2g-5a) against Pensacola. The previous Steelheads record had been six points, scored by Flichel and Lance Galbraith on Feb. 24, 2007 vs. Utah, and Garett Bembridge on Nov. 25, 2005 also against Utah. Six points had been scored four times when the Steelheads were part of the WCHL, twice by by Cal Ingraham on Mar. 1, 2000 vs. Anchorage and Jan. 29, 2000 vs Anchorage, Rob Dumas on Jan. 12, 1999 @ Tacoma, and Mario Therrien on Mar. 27, 1998 vs. Tucson. The eight goals was a season-high for the Steelheads.UPCOMING THIS WEEKThe Steelheads embark on a six-game road trip, with four contests scheduled for this week:• Tues., Mar. 4 @ Alaska: 9:15 MT? Wed. Mar. 5 @ Alaska: 9:15 MT? Fri. Mar. 7 @ Stockton: 8:30 MT *** Hooters Watch Party *** Join Steelheads staff and fans Friday night at Hooters (corner of Franklin and Milwaukee, near the Boise Towne Square Mall) to watch the game LIVE on the B2 Networks.? Sat. Mar. 8 @ Bakersfield: 8:00 MTSTEELHEADS AT A GLANCEIdaho Steelheads: 33-17-5-4 (75 pts.), Tied 1st West Div.; 2nd National Conf., 6th ECHLNATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS as of 3/3/08PacificRank Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCT1 x Las Vegas Wranglers 58 36 11 5 6 83 0.7162 Fresno Falcons 54 31 15 4 4 70 0.6483 Stockton Thunder 57 23 31 2 1 49 0.4304 Bakersfield Condors 56 17 30 2 7 43 0.384WestRank Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCT1 x Victoria Salmon Kings 57 35 17 3 2 75 0.6582 x Idaho Steelheads 59 33 17 5 4 75 0.6363 Utah Grizzlies 58 30 22 0 6 66 0.5694 Alaska Aces 55 30 20 4 1 65 0.5915 Phoenix RoadRunners 59 19 33 4 3 45 0.381X = Clinched playoff spotLAST WEEK?S RESULTS? 2/27/08 vs. BAK: 4-3 SOL? 2/29/08 vs. BAK: 5-2 W? 3/01/08 vs. BAK: 8-3 WSTEELHEADS BITESTeam:? Steelheads have scored 13 goals in the last two games, including a season-high, eight tallies in Saturday?s win.? Steelheads are 26-2-2 when scoring first? Steelheads are unbeaten in their last four games (3-0-1)Individual: ? Taggart Desmet has three goals in his last two games and four goals during his four-game point streak? John Lammers has 21 goals in 23 games this season, including two hat tricks in his last nine outings? Marty Flichel earned a career-high, seven points (1g-6a) on Saturday to give him a four-game scoring streak (3g-8a)BOISE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER INJURY REPORT/TRANSACTIONS3/3 Delete Alexander Naurov, F recalled by Iowa (AHL)3/1 Delete Greg Rallo, F loaned to Rockford (AHL)PRACTICE SCHEDULENo practice. The Steelheads are on the road this 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 -