Off the Hook: Steelheads Update 2/22/09

Back-to-back sold out crowds and a huge three-game sweep over Las Vegas have the Steelheads rolling into this week with playoff momentum.Head Coach Derek Laxdal, said his players ?were excited to come out and play before the big crowds and it definitely gave them a boost.? He added about the games coming on Tuesday and Wednesday, ?The last several games against Utah has gone to overtime and with the Grizzlies? work ethic, these two home games this week should prove to be great also.?The Steelheads will host the Utah Grizzlies at Qwest Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 24 and Wednesday, Feb. 25. The Tuesday game is one of the make up games the ECHL assigned Idaho after losing games in January when the Fresno Falcons ceased operations. Both games start at 7:10 p.m. IDAHO STEELHEADS AT-A-GLANCE63 Points; 3rd West Division, 3rd National Conference, 6th OverallOverall: 30-16-2-1 (63 points) Home: 15-8-0-1 (home)Away: 15-8-2-0 (road)Streak: 4-0-0-0Past 10: 8-2-0-0ECHL NATIONAL CONFERENCE, DIVISION STANDINGS West GP W L OTL PTS PCTVictoria Salmon Kings 56 31 19 6 68 0.607Alaska Aces 54 31 20 3 65 0.602Idaho Steelheads 49 30 16 3 63 0.643Utah Grizzlies 52 20 17 15 55 0.529Phoenix RoadRunners 50 23 24 3 49 0.490 Pacific GP W L OTL PTS PCTOntario Reign 53 29 20 4 62 0.585Las Vegas Wranglers 54 26 22 6 58 0.537Stockton Thunder 54 24 25 5 53 0.491Bakersfield Condors 56 22 27 7 51 0.455STEELHEADS BITES• Mark Bomersback's six-game goal scoring streak from 2/7 to 2/20 was the longest such streak for a Steelhead this season. He is currently riding a seven-game point streak, and has at least one point in 13 of 14 games ? Garett Bembridge had two goals and three assists in the three wins this week vs. LV; he now has at least a point in seven of eight games since returning to the Steelheads from Iowa (AHL) ? Goaltender Rejean Beauchemin has earned a win in six of his last seven appearances in net for Idaho, which includes one victory in relief ? Darrell Hay has nine assists in his last six gamesROSTER TRANSACTIONS (2/17/09 ? 2/21/09)The Steelheads had no transactions for the week Feb. 17-Feb. 21.STEELHEADS SCHEDULE THIS WEEKMonday, Feb. 22: Practice at Qwest Arena, 10-11:00 amTuesday, Feb. 23: Practice at Qwest Arena, 10-11:00 am; GAME NIGHT VS UTAH; 7:00 PM MSTWednesday, Feb. 24: Practice at Qwest Arena, 10-11:00 am; GAME NIGHT VS UTAH; 7:00 PM MSTThursday, Feb. 25: Travel DayFriday, Feb. 26: GAME NIGHT @ STOCKTON; 8:30 PM MSTSaturday, Feb. 27: GAME NIGHT @ STOCKTON; 8:30 PM MST Sunday, Feb. 28: GAME NIGHT @ STOCKTON; 5:00 PM MSTPUCKS FOR PETS!Thanks fans for another successful Pucks for Pets! event at the Steelheads game on Friday, Feb. 20: The Steelheads and WestVet teamed up for homeless pets?Two dogs were adopted, $1,700 was raised through a raffle, and 350 pounds of dog food and 100 cans of cat food was collected to help homeless cats and dogs through Northwest Animal Companions. Thanks to everybody for helping vulnerable animals.STEELHEADS GAME SCHEDULEThe following is a schedule of games left to be played in the 2008-09 season:OPPONENT DAY DATE50 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 4/4/2009STEELHEADS AT HOOTERS!Join Voice of the Steelheads Doug Plagens and Will Hoenike Monday nights at Hooters when the team is in town for the Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show. Tonight?s guests will be Head Coach Derek Laxdal and defenseman Travis Wight from 6pm-7pm. Join Steelheads fans this Friday for a game watch party at Hooters as the Steelheads take on the Thunder in Stockton.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 -