Beagle nets first NHL goal

(Boise, ID) ? When Jay Beagle banged home a shot Monday night for the Washington Capitals, he became the third former Idaho Steelhead to score in an NHL game in three days. He?s also the eighth former Steelhead to play in an NHL game this season. A ninth suited up but has not appeared in a game yet. The organization had only sent nine players ? total -- to professional hockey?s biggest stage prior to the 2009-2010 season. ?That?s a tribute to the teaching and coaching ability of (head coach) Derek Laxdal,? team president Eric Trapp said. ?And also speaks volumes of the quality of players we?ve gotten through our affiliation with the Dallas Stars.? Beagle, F Tom Wandell (Dallas), F Aaron Gagnon (Dallas), F Francis Wathier (Dallas), F Warren Peters (Dallas), F Zenon Konopka (Tampa Bay), F BJ Crombeen (Saint Louis), and G Dan Ellis (Nashville) have all skated in NHL contests this season. G Matt Climie suited up for the Dallas Stars earlier this season, but did not play before being reassigned to Texas of the American Hockey League. Beagle, Peters, Wandell, Crombeen, Konopka and Ellis are active on NHL rosters. Gagnon and Wathier have been sent back to the AHL. Ellis and Konopka were standouts on Idaho?s 2003-2004 ECHL Kelly Cup championship team. Beagle, Crombeen, and Wathier all hoisted the Kelly Cup trophy for Idaho following the 2007 season. Beagle?s goal Monday night was his first NHL tally. Peters picked up his first NHL goal of the season (second career) for Dallas on Saturday night, the same game that Tom Wandell scored the game-winner for the Stars. Konopka ? who is tied for the NHL lead in penalty minutes ? picked up his first assist of the season on Saturday night as well. The Steelheads return home for Rivalry Week on December 3, when they host the Alaska Aces. Tickets are available at the Qwest Arena box office or by calling 208.331.TIXS. Full-season and partial-season ticket plans remain available as well. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 for more information.