Off the Hook: Steelheads Update 2-9-09

OFF THE HOOKFor Immediate Release: Feb. 9, 2009For More Information: Bonnie Way SniderOffice?208.472.2119 / Cell?208.850.0799bwaysnider@idahosteelheads.comSteelheads Update 2-9-09BOISE, Idaho - After a month away from home due to Boise and Qwest Arena hosting the Special Olympics World Winter Games, the ECHL All-Star break, and mid-season scheduling changes, the Steelheads (25-15-2-1) make their return to home ice on Friday and Saturday to face off against the Phoenix RoadRunners (20-21-1-2). ROAD SO GOODSince Idaho?s 4-3 shootout win over Utah at Qwest Arena on Jan. 14, the Steelheads have played seven road games. The outcome? The team went 4-2-1, picking up 9 of a possible 14 points. The Steelheads? road record is ranked 4th overall in the ECHL, while the team?s home record ranks them 18th in the league.COMMEMORATING THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMESThanks to partner St. Luke?s*Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services (SLIERS), the Steelheads will don one-of-a-kind Special Olympics-themed jerseys during the weekend homestand on Feb. 13 and 14. The jerseys will be auctioned off, and a raffle will be held for a team-autographed jersey, with proceeds going to benefit pediatric therapy services at SLIERS and the Special Olympics of Idaho. Check out www.idahosteelheads.com for a glimpse of the jerseys.CELEBRITY FLOOR HOCKEYJohnny Knoxville and Tim Shriver were just a couple of the celebrities that played alongside Steelheads forwards Justin Bourne and Craig Cescon in the Special Olympics Celebrity Floor Hockey game on Sunday at the Idaho Expo Center. The Steelheads loaned out their practice jerseys for the celebs and athletes to wear for the game. Check out the Idaho Statesman?s Web site for photos (#?s 7, 8, 9, 10) of the day: http://www.idahostatesman.com/1438/gallery/661711-a661763-t2.html and/or to link to the video: http://videos.idahostatesman.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1732963IDAHO STEELHEADS AT-A-GLANCE53 Points; 3rd West Division, 4th National Conference, 9th OverallOverall: 25-15-2-1 (53 points) Home: 11-7-0-1 (home)Away: 14-8-2-0 (road)Streak: 3-0-1-0Past 10: 6-3-1-0ECHL NATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS West GP W L OTL PTS PCTVictoria Salmon Kings 49 29 15 5 63 0.643Alaska Aces 48 27 18 3 57 0.594Idaho Steelheads 43 25 15 3 53 0.616Utah Grizzlies 44 16 15 13 45 0.511Phoenix RoadRunners 44 20 21 3 43 0.489 Pacific GP W L OTL PTS PCTOntario Reign 46 25 17 4 54 0.587Las Vegas Wranglers 46 24 18 4 52 0.565Stockton Thunder 48 23 20 5 51 0.531Bakersfield Condors 48 16 26 6 38 0.396STEELHEADS BITES• The Steelheads had their four-game winning streak snapped in Saturday night's 4-3 L @ BAK? Matt McKnight is currently on a five-game point streak (2g-4a)? Bryan McGregor has points in his last four contests (3g-3a)? Matt Stephenson has four assists in his last two games? Since returning from Iowa (AHL), Garett Bembridge has a four-game point streak (4g-1a)ROSTER TRANSACTIONS (1/27/09 ? 2/09/09)2/5/09 Delete Tyler Shelast, F recalled by Hamilton (AHL)1/28/09 Add Dan Welch, F signed contractSTEELHEADS SCHEDULE THIS WEEKMonday, Feb. 9: Game Night @ Stockton 8:00 pmTuesday, Feb. 10: Travel day to BoiseWednesday, Feb. 11: Gym dayThursday, Feb. 12: Gym dayFriday, Feb. 13: Practice at Qwest Arena, 10-11:00 am; GAME NIGHT VS PHOENIX; 7:00 PM MSTSaturday, Feb. 14: Practice at Qwest Arena, 10-11:00 am; GAME NIGHT VS PHOENIX; 7:00 PM MSTSunday, Feb. 15: Off dayPROMOTIONSFriday, Feb. 13: ? 3,000 boxes of Kraft Mac n? Cheese will be handed out to fans as they enter Qwest Arena, compliments of Albertsons. The boxes are to be used as noise makers during the game, then donated to the Idaho Foodbank as they leave the building.? The Steelheads team will sign autographs on the ice immediately following the game.Saturday, Feb. 14:? Pepsi Puck Giveaway is guaranteed to all Full-Season Idaho Steelheads Ticket Holders and Season Mini Holders. Any remaining giveaway items will be distributed to the first fans through the door while supplies last. Doors open at 6:30 pm.STEELHEADS GAME SCHEDULEThe following is a schedule of games left to be played in the 2008-09 season:OPPONENT DAY DATE44 at Stockton 2/9/200945 Phoenix Fri 2/13/200946 Phoenix Sat 2/14/200947 Las Vegas Wed 2/18/200948 Las Vegas Fri 2/20/200949 Las Vegas Sat 2/21/200950 Utah Tue 2/24/200951 Utah Wed 2/25/200952 at Stockton 2/27/200953 at Stockton 2/28/200954 at Stockton 3/1/200955 Victoria Wed 3/4/200956 Victoria Fri 3/6/200957 Victoria Sat 3/7/200958 at Utah 3/11/200959 at Las Vegas 3/13/200960 at Las Vegas 3/14/200961 at Utah 3/15/200962 at Victoria 3/18/200963 at Victoria 3/20/200964 at Victoria 3/21/200965 at Victoria 3/22/200966 Ontario Wed 3/25/200967 Ontario Fri 3/27/200968 Ontario Sat 3/28/200969 Phoenix Tue 3/31/200970 Phoenix Wed 4/1/200971 Phoenix Fri 4/3/200972 Phoenix Sat 4/4/2009BROADCAST 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 -