Texas sends Bachman back to Idaho

(Boise, ID) ?Rookie goaltender Richard Bachman will be back between the pipes for the Idaho Steelheads Tuesday night when the team faces the Las Vegas Wranglers at the Orleans Arena. The 22-year-old has been returned to Idaho by its AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. Bachman was called up by Texas on December 1 after helping Idaho shoot out the gates with a 16-3-1 record. At the time of his recall, he led the ECHL in wins (9), was second in goals-against average (2.12), and was tied for fourth in save percentage (.916). He returns to find himself first in goals-against average and third in save percentage and head coach Derek Laxdal plans to start him tonight when the Steelheads takes on Las Vegas in the Wranglers? annual midnight game (1 AM Mountain time, KTIK, 1350 AM). ?(Rejean) Beauchemin did a terrific job going out there every night while Richard was up in the AHL,? Laxdal said. ?But with, essentially, four games in four days, the timing is very good to get Richard back and reunite that tandem of goaltenders that was so good for us early in the season.? Both Idaho netminders are in the top ten in the ECHL in wins and goals-against average. Bachman made two starts with the AHL?s Stars, going 1-1 with a 2.09 goals-against average and .929 save percentage. He is on contract with the NHL?s Dallas Stars after playing college hockey at Colorado College. Dallas (NHL) and Texas (AHL) are Idaho?s parent teams in the affiliation ladder of North American professional hockey. Idaho returns home on New Year?s Eve, January 31, to host the Stockton Thunder. The two teams play New Year?s Eve, New Year?s Day, and January 2nd. 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.