Off the Hook: Weekly Update #23

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD - WINDING DOWNComing off a three-game sweep over Stockton and the team?s eighth sell out of 2007-08, the Steelheads are set to hit the road for their final trip of regular season play. As they embark on road games, numbers 35 and 36, Idaho will try to improve on its 16-16-1-1 away record and make a push to hold first place in the West Division. Currently, the Steelheads are tied for first place in the West in points with Victoria; however, the Salmon Kings have three games in hand. The Aces are in third spot, only two points behind with 81 points and two games in hand. The winner of the division will be seeded second in the National Conference for the Kelly Cup Playoffs as none of the three can finish higher than Las Vegas which is first in the Pacific Division. The remaining six teams are seeded third through eighth in order of points. Teams are not re-seeded in the National Conference and all series will be best-of-seven games. The top four teams will have home ice advantage.UP NEXT• @ Stockton Fri., March 28, 8:30pm MT? @Fresno Sat. March 29, 8:30pm MTBROACAST 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.STEELHEADS AT A GLANCEIdaho Steelheads: 37-22-5-4 (83 pts.), Tied 1st, West Div.; 5th National Conf., Tied 7th ECHLNATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS as of 3/24/08West Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCTx Victoria Salmon Kings 65 39 21 3 2 83 0.638x Idaho Steelheads 68 37 22 5 4 83 0.610x Alaska Aces 66 38 23 4 1 81 0.614x Utah Grizzlies 66 30 28 1 7 68 0.515 Phoenix RoadRunners 66 22 35 5 4 53 0.402Pacific Team GP W L OTL SOL PTS PCTx Las Vegas Wranglers 67 43 12 5 7 98 0.731x Fresno Falcons 65 39 18 4 4 86 0.662 Stockton Thunder 65 25 37 2 1 53 0.408 Bakersfield Condors 66 21 36 2 7 51 0.386x = clinched playoff spotREEL REWINDWed. March 19 vs Stockton: W 1-0Fri. March 21 vs Stockton: W 3-2Sat. March 22 vs Stockton: W 3-0STEELHEADS BITESTeam:? Steelheads have posted eight shutouts this season and four in their last 16 contests? Steelheads? power play has scored at least one goal in five straight matches? Steelheads have not lost in regulation in their last eight home games (6-0-2), and their 21 home wins surpasses last season?s total of 20Individual: ? Lance Galbraith has three goals and three assists in his last six games? Taggart Desmet has at least one point in six of his last seven contests (3g-5a)? Colin Sinclair has a goal in two straight outings after not scoring in his previous 28 gamesDALLAS STARS RECALL FORMER STEELHEAD B.J. CROMBEEN FROM IOWAThe Dallas Stars announced today that the club has recalled right wing B.J. Crombeen from the Iowa Stars, Dallas? primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). Crombeen, 22, has appeared in 65 games with Iowa this season, recording 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points with 158 penalty minutes and a +1 rating. Among Iowa team leaders, he ranks first in penalty minutes and tied for fourth in goals. Making his NHL debut on Jan. 19 vs. Columbus, he is scoreless in three games with the Stars this season. Last season, he played the majority of the season with Assat Pori of the Finnish Elite League, appearing in 55 games and notching 22 points (13-9-22) with 152 penalty minutes. The 6-2, 212-pound right wing also played the final 13 regular season games and all 22 playoff contests with Idaho (ECHL), helping lead the Steelheads to the 2007 Kelly Cup championship. In 22 post-season outings, he registered 10 points (5-5-10). The native of Denver, Colorado, was Dallas? second-round selection (54th overall) in the 2003 Entry Draft. In four seasons with Barrie of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2001 ? 2005, he recorded 86 goals and 84 assists for 170 points and served as captain during the 2004-05 campaign. Named to the OHL All-Star Team that played against the Russian Selects in 2003 and in 2004, Crombeen played for the Eastern Conference in the 2003-04 OHL All-Star Game.BOISE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER INJURY REPORT/TRANSACTIONS (wk of Mar. 17)3/22 Add Steve Silverthorn, G assigned by Iowa (AHL)3/21 Add Mark Bomersback, F assigned by Iowa (AHL) 3/21 Delete T.R. Kirkman, G emergency backup goaltender3/19 Add T.R. Kirkman, G emergency backup goaltender3/18 Add Aaron Gagnon, F assigned by Iowa (AHL) 3/18 Add Pete Rouleau, F signed contractPRACTICE SCHEDULEThe Steelheads will practice at Qwest Arena Tuesday and Wednesday this week from 10-11am. Practice is free and open to public and media. For interviews, contact Bonnie @ 472.2119 or email bwaysnider@idahosteelheads.com.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 -