Steelheads Top Conference-Leading Grizzlies in Utah

The Idaho Steelheads (16-15-7) pushed their record above .500 with a 4-2 victory over the Western Conference-leading Utah Grizzlies (22-11-4) Wednesday night at the Maverik Center. Four different Steelheads scored in the effort, and Jase Weslosky stopped 40 shots in the Idaho net. Idaho opened the scoring after dodging multiple Utah scoring opportunities; Michael Neal received a pass at the side of the Utah net after a tenacious forecheck from Cody Purves, and deposited the puck into the back of the Utah net for his fifth goal, giving Idaho a 1-0 lead. Purves and Steve Oleksy, who had four goals last week, assisted on the goal. Aki Seitsonen extended Idaho?s lead to 2-0 with a shot along the ice from the left circle with Idaho again on the power play. Seitsonen?s fifth goal was assisted by Matt Tassone and Weston Tardy. The Steelheads extended their lead to 3-0 at 2:57 of the third period when Matt McKnight poked in the rebound from an Oleksy point shot; also assisting on McKnight?s third of the year was Seitsonen. Tyler Ruegsegger scored Utah?s first goal on a turnaround shot from the slot at 4:07 of the third period to cut Idaho?s lead to 3-1. Mark Derlago scored his 17th goal of the season on a second effort in front of the Utah goal at 7:43 of the third period to extend Idaho?s lead to 4-1. Brent Gauvreau cut Idaho?s lead to 4-2 late in the third, but the Steelheads were able to hold onto the lead and earn the 4-2 victory behind stellar netminding from Jase Weslosky, who turned away 40 shots. Weslosky stopped 40 of 42 shots in the Idaho net to improve to 5-5-0. Andrew Engelage falls to 12-4-3 for Utah after stopping 25 of 29 shots in a losing effort. Idaho returns home for three games against the Victoria Salmon Kings this weekend; January 14th, 15th, and 16th.