Off the Hook: Weekly Update #22

PINK IN THE RINKThe Steelheads will don pink this week to help raise money for St. Luke?s Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI). The fundraising event called ?Pink in the Rink? will take place on March 19, 21 and 22 and will specifically help breast cancer patients. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Idaho women. The one-of-a-kind pink jerseys will be worn for the three-game series against the Stockton Thunder and will be available for auction during the games. Silent auction tables will be set up on the concourse during the three games and fans may bid on their favorite player?s jersey in increments of $100 and/or buy it outright for $2,000. The jerseys will be presented to the winning bidder by the player immediately following Saturday?s game. One-hundred percent of the dollars raised from the jersey auction will go to St. Luke?s to help women in need of financial assistance get the help they need. 2007 BUSINESS SUPPORTER OF THE YEARJohn Cunningham, President of Block 22, LLC and Eric Trapp, President of Idaho Sports Properties were honored last week by the Boise Police Department for this years civilian recognition award. For contributions such as Idaho Steelheads and Boise Burn game tickets to families of crime victims and families of injured officers as well as support for the annual Guns and Hoses charity hockey game at Qwest Arena (involving the Boise Police and Fire Departments and raising thousands of dollars for the local Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Idaho Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving), the two were presented the 2007 Business Supporter of the Year Award. DRIVE FOR FIVEWith only five regular season home games remaining, the Steelheads are on the stretch drive to the playoffs. Three games at Qwest Arena this week, two on the road next week, and home for a Friday-Saturday finale. Idaho?s opponent this week, Stockton, will come into this week?s series with some fire as they fight for one of the final two remaining postseason slots in the conference. The Steelheads had moved into a tie for first in the West Division with Victoria a couple of weeks ago, but after a dismal 1-5 road trip have since fallen to third in the division and fifth overall in the National Conference. The top four teams in the conference get home ice advantage, so if the playoffs began today, Idaho would open against the fourth place Salmon Kings in Victoria. Home ice could play into the equation as Idaho has recorded a 18-6-4-3 record on Qwest Arena ice versus a 16-16-1-1 record away from home this season.• Wed. March 19 vs Stockton @ 7:10pm? Fri. March 21 vs Stockton @ 7:10pm? Sat. March 22 vs Stockton @ 7:10pmSTEELHEADS AT A GLANCEIdaho Steelheads: 34-22-5-4 (77 pts.), 3rd West Div.; 5th National Conf., 11th ECHLNATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS as of 3/17/08West Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCTx Alaska Aces 63 37 21 4 1 79 0.627x Victoria Salmon Kings 62 36 21 3 2 77 0.621x Idaho Steelheads 65 34 22 5 4 77 0.592x Utah Grizzlies 63 30 26 1 6 67 0.532 Phoenix RoadRunners 63 22 33 5 3 52 0.413Pacific Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCTx Las Vegas Wranglers 63 40 11 5 7 92 0.730x Fresno Falcons 61 36 17 4 4 80 0.656 Stockton Thunder 61 25 33 2 1 53 0.434 Bakersfield Condors 63 19 35 2 7 47 0.373x = clinched playoff spotSTEELHEADS BITESTeam:? Steelheads have lost two in a row and five of their last six games (all away games)? Tuesday's 6-4 defeat at Fresno was just the second time this season the Steelheads have lost a game in regulation when scoring at least four goals in a game (20-2-3) ? Steelheads are 27-4-5 when scoring first this seasonIndividual: ? Matt Craig has six points (3g-3a)in the last 10 games ? Andrew Martin has 13 points in 13 games since joining the Steelheads ? Lance Galbraith is on a three-game scoring streak (2g-2a)IDAHO?S ROAD WOESMar 4 at Alaska L 2-3 Mar 5 at Alaska L 1-5 Mar 7 at Stockton L 2-3 Mar 8 at Bakersfield W 3-0 Mar 10 at Bakersfield L 2-3 Mar 11 at Fresno L 4-6 BOISE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER INJURY REPORT/TRANSACTIONS3/17 Delete Greg Rallo, F loanded to Manitoba (AHL)3/12 Delete Matt Craig, F placed on the 7-day IR3/08 Delete Greg Rallo, F loaned to Rockford (AHL)3/07 Add Andrew R. Martin, F activated off IR3/07 Delete Chad Brownlee, F placed on the 3-day IR3/05 Add Greg Rallo, F returned from Rockford (AHL)PRACTICE SCHEDULEThe Steelheads will practice at Qwest Arena this week from 10-11, Monday through Saturday. Practice is free and open to public and media. For interviews, contact Bonnie @ 472.2119 or email bwaysnider@idahosteelheads.com.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 -