Steelheads top Utah in preseason opener, 4-3

(Logan, UT) ? Kyle Radke found the back of the net with less than four minutes left to play, capping an Idaho rally past the Utah Grizzlies in each team?s preseason opener on Friday night. Radke?s tally was Idaho?s third of the final frame, giving Idaho a come-from-behind, 4-3 win at the Eccles Ice Center in Logan, UT. The Grizzlies had a 3-1 lead in the early stages of the 3rd period when Ketchum?s Cody Lampl dropped the gloves with Utah?s Mark Pavli. The pair went toe-to-toe and, though Lampl didn?t score a knockout, his bout served as a major spark for his team. Moments later, Mathieu Tousignant fed John Swanson who found Evan Barlow for a beautiful goal, cutting Utah?s lead to 3-2. Shortly after that, a Derek May shot was tipped home by Swanson to tie the contest at 3. Then, with 3:45 left on the clock, Radke?s big rip from the top of the left-side circle beat Parker Van Buskirk to give Idaho a 4-3 lead. Goaltender Richard Bachman and the Steelheads defense made that lead stand up as Idaho emerged victorious. Bachman went the distance in net, allowing three goals. Two of Utah?s scores came on the power play. The two teams will travel to McCall, ID, for a Saturday-night game at the Manchester Ice and Events Centre. Gametime in McCall is 7 PM and tickets are available at the arena. Idaho opens the regular season on Friday, October 16, hosting the Stockton Thunder at Qwest Arena.