Off the Hook: Steelheads Update 1/5/09

The Idaho Steelheads (19-12-1-1) welcome the Reading Royals (9-23-0-2) to Qwest Arena Friday, Jan. 9 and Saturday, Jan 10 in their first home games of the New Year. The visit is the first for the American Conference, North Division team. Idaho lost 6-2 to Reading in the one contest they played on the Steelheads eastern swing in the fall.Head-to-head, Reading ranks 7th in the North Division and 12th in the American Conference while Idaho ranks 2nd in the West and 3rd in the National Conference. Overall in the league, Reading is 22nd and Idaho is 7th. The Royals are 3-6-0-1 in their last ten games and the Steelheads are 6-4-0-0.GAINEY GETS THE CALLIt was probably only a matter of time before former NHL?er Steve Gainey received a call up from an American Hockey League team, and today was the day. The Hamilton Bulldogs, AHL farm team for the Montreal Canadiens, came calling after the Habs called up several Bulldogs players due to injuries.Gainey was voted to represent Idaho at the 2009 ECHL All-Star which will be held in Reading later this month. A replacement will be named soon. Gainey, who turns 30 on Jan. 26, is currently tied for the Steelheads team-lead with 30 points (11g-19a). The 6-foot, 180-pound Montreal native was a third round pick by the Dallas Stars in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He saw action in 13 games with the Stars from 2000 through 2004 and played in 20 games with the NHL?s Phoenix Coyotes in 2005-06. The seventh year pro Gainey is the son of NHL Hall of Famer and legendary Montreal Canadien Bob Gainey. The elder Gainey is a five-time Stanley Cup Champion and current Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Canadiens.IDAHO STEELHEADS AT A GLANCE40 Points; 2nd West Division, 3rd National Conference, 7th OverallOverall: 19-12-1-1 (40 points) Home: 9-6-0-1 (home)Away: 10-6-1-0 (road)Streak: 0-1-0-0Past 10: 6-4-0-0ECHL NATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS West GP W L OTL PTS PCTVictoria Salmon Kings 35 24 9 2 50 0.714Idaho Steelheads 33 19 12 2 40 0.606Alaska Aces 33 18 13 2 38 0.576Phoenix RoadRunners 29 13 13 3 29 0.500Utah Grizzlies 30 12 13 5 29 0.483 Pacific GP W L OTL PTS PCTOntario Reign 32 19 11 2 40 0.625Fresno Falcons 30 18 10 2 38 0.633Las Vegas Wranglers 31 14 14 3 31 0.500Stockton Thunder 34 12 17 5 29 0.426STEELHEADS BITES• Goalie Matt Climie has won eight of his last 10 starts ? The Steelheads have won four of their last five games ? Bryan McGregor had a five-game goal scoring streak snapped in the Steelheads' last game, a 1-0 L @ ONT ? Mark Bomersback has five points (3g-2a) in his last four gamesROSTER TRANSACTIONS (12/31/09 ? 1/05/09)1/05/09 Delete Steve Gainey, F loaned to Hamilton (AHL)12/31/08 Delete Kelly Sullivan, D placed on the 3-day IRSTEELHEADS SCHEDULE THIS WEEKTuesday, Jan. 6:? Practice at Qwest Arena, 10:00-11:00 amWednesday, Jan. 7:? Practice at Qwest Arena, 10:00-11:00 amThursday, Jan. 8:? Practice at Qwest Arena, 10:00-11:00 amFriday, Jan. 9: ? Practice at Qwest Arena, 10:00-11:00 am? GAME NIGHT Reading @ Idaho 7:10 pm MSTSaturday, Jan. 10: ? Practice at Qwest Arena, 10:00-11:00 am? GAME NIGHT Reading @ Idaho 7:10 pm MSTSunday, Jan. 4: ? Off DayGET IN THE GAME AT HOOTERSThe Steelheads are once again teaming up with Hooters to host watch parties for select Steelheads road games. Stay tuned as dates will be announced soon. The Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show is going on the road and will be at Hooters every Monday when the team is in town. Fans are invited to stop by and meet Steelheads players and Coach Laxdal, and have the chance to win Steelheads prizes. Monday, Jan. 12 is the first ?on location? date.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. This week is Hockey Education Week on the show, so be sure to listen as it?s sure to be informative and interesting with many special guests to join Doug and Will on the air!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 -