McKnight Scores Twice as Steelheads Win in Utah

Overtime was required, but the Idaho Steelheads (18-4-1) got back on the winning track with a 3-2 win over the Utah Grizzlies (14-6-1) at the E-Center of West Valley City tonight. Matt McKnight scored twice for the Steelheads, including the game-winner, and Brad Miller extended his point streak to three games since beginning his professional career. Utah struck first on the power play when Shea Guthrie deposited a back-door pass from Brett Parnham behind Rejean Beauchemin at 9:13. Parnham?s pass came from the right wing corner, with Guthrie positioned with his stick on the ice at the left post. The Steelheads took control in the second period with a pair of goals; the first of which came when Matt McKnight batted home a Brendan Milnamow wrist shot from the point to tie the game at 1-1. John Swanson also registered an assist on Idaho?s first goal at 12:32. The Steelheads took the lead following a Utah odd-man rush. Ryan Kinasewich fired a puck off the right pad of Beauchemin, and the loose puck was sent ahead to Brad Miller on the left wing. Miller, who had moved up to forward in the middle frame. Miller walked into the left wing circle, and beat Utah?s Mitch O?Keefe top-shelf for the go-ahead goal at 18:55; the goal was his second of the season. Beauchemin was credited with an assist on the goal. Ryan Kinasewich netted the only goal in the third period to extend his lead in the ECHL goal scoring race; he now has 17 goals on the year. In overtime, the Grizzlies were able to kill off a Matt Clarke holding penalty, but shortly after the conclusion of the penalty, Matt McKnight would bury the game-winner for the Steelheads from the left circle. Rejean Beauchemin stopped 28 of 30 shots to earn the win; he is 8-2-0 for the Steelheads; who maintain the league?s best record. O?Keefe suffers the loss, and now has a record of 10-3-0. He stopped 21 of 24 shots in the loss. The Steelheads return home Wednesday night, December 9th, to take on the Ontario Reign at Qwest Arena. The puck drops at 7:10 PM MST.