Off the Hook: Steelheads Update 12/30/08

The Idaho Steelheads (18-11-1-1) ring in the New Year in California as they return to the ice Friday, Jan. 2 and 3 to take on the Ontario Reign (18-10-1-1) for the first time ever. The showdown should be a good match up between the two teams with almost identical records. The Steelheads have a three-game win streak going into the pair of road games, while the Reign are coming off a loss. Both teams are 7-3-0 in their last ten.LUDWIG'S COMIN' TO TOWNIdaho will get some help on the blueline in the coming games from Dallas Stars prospect Trevor Ludwig, who was assigned to the Steelheads today from Dallas via the AHL?s Manitoba Moose. The 6-1, 210-pound defenseman was a 2004 NHL draft pick of the Dallas Stars (6th round) and was placed on the now defunct AHL?s Iowa Stars roster following a four year NCAA career at Providence College. He began the 2008-09 season with the Moose, seeing action in 16 games with no points and 18 penalty minutes. Ludwig?s father, Craig, played 1256 games in the National Hockey League for Dallas, Minnesota, New York Islands and Montreal Canadiens. Craig Ludwig was a longtime Montreal Canadians teammate of current Steelhead Steve Gainey?s father, Bob.SCHEDULE REVISIONS EXPECTED SOONThe Idaho Steelheads expect to see a revised schedule from the ECHL office later this week following the announcement earlier that the Fresno Falcons have ceased operations. The Steelheads had three home games slated against the Falcons on Jan. 14, 16 and 17. Stay tuned?.IDAHO STEELHEADS AT A GLANCE34 Points; 2nd West Division, 3rd National Conference, 7th OverallOverall: 18-11-1-1 (38 points) Home: 9-6-0-1 (home)Away: 9-5-1-0 (road)Streak: 3-0-0-0Past 10: 7-3-0-0ECHL NATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS West GP W L OTL PTS PCTVictoria Salmon Kings 32 21 9 2 44 0.688Idaho Steelheads 31 18 11 2 38 0.613Alaska Aces 30 17 12 1 35 0.583Phoenix RoadRunners 28 12 13 3 27 0.482Utah Grizzlies 28 11 12 5 27 0.482 Pacific GP W L OTL PTS PCTOntario Reign 28 17 9 2 36 0.633Las Vegas Wranglers 26 11 13 2 24 0.483Stockton Thunder 28 10 14 4 24 0.448Bakersfield Condors 27 9 14 4 22 0.387STEELHEADS BITES• The Steelheads have won five-of-six games dating back to 12/14? Goalie Matt Climie has won 7 of his last 8 starts? Rookie forwards Matt McKnight and Ben Nelson each have points in their last three games (2g-1a each)? Bryan McGregor is on a four-game goal scoring streak (one goal in each of his last four games)? Mark Bomersback has two goals and an assist in two games since returning from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL)ROSTER TRANSACTIONS (12/23/08 ? 12/30/08)12/30/08 Add Trevor Ludwig, D assigned from Dallas12/29/08 Delete Craig Cescon, F transferred to the 30-day IR12/29/08 Delete Travis Wight, D transferred to the 30-day IRSTEELHEADS SCHEDULE THIS WEEKTuesday, Dec. 30:? Practice at Idaho IceWorld 1:15-2:15 pmWednesday, Dec. 31:? Practice at Idaho IceWorld 1:15-2:15 pmThursday, Jan. 1:? Travel dayFriday, Jan. 2: ? GAME NIGHT Idaho @ Ontario 8:00 pm MSTSaturday, Jan. 3: ? GAME NIGHT Idaho @ Ontario 8:00 pm MSTSunday, Jan. 4: ? Travel day* OF NOTE: The Steelheads front office will be closed from Saturday, Dec. 27 through Monday, Jan. 5.STEELHEADS BECOME STARS FOR MDAOnce again, Steelheads fans came out to support the team?s community efforts?. The one-day Pepsi/MDA jersey auction held on Friday, Dec. 26 at Qwest Arena, raised $9,351 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) of Idaho. The Steelheads wore their National Hockey League affiliate authentic Dallas Stars jerseys, while their opponents, the Utah Grizzlies, wore their affiliate New York Islanders jerseys. This auction marks the seventh year the Steelheads and Pepsi have teamed up for the MDA and in that time, the auction has raised $73,836.BROADCAST INFOListen to all 72 games with Doug Plagens calling the action. Doug is joined in the booth this season by 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 Doug and 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.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 -