West Valley City, UT (10/17/14) – Three different players found the back of the net and Olivier Roy turned aside 30 of 31 shots in his Idaho Steelheads debut as Idaho defeated the Utah Grizzlies, 3-1, Friday night in the ECHL opener for both teams.
The visitors silenced the big crowd of over 7,000 fans with two early goals. First, it was Ludwig Karlsson knocking home a loose puck from the top of the crease, assisted by Matt Case and Brett Robinson, to give the Steelheads a 1-0 lead at the 4:44 mark of the opening frame. Then, at 13:02, Wade MacLeod was sprung on a short breakaway, getting a shot off on Utah netminder Etienne Marcoux. Marcoux made the initial saves but Jason Bast swept home the easy rebound goal to give Idaho a two-goal lead after one period.
Roy and the Steelheads defense shone in the second period as Utah had four power-play opportunities - including a five-minute major power-play opportunity - to keep the 2-0 lead through two periods.
Utah turned up the pressure early in the third but Idaho picked up a big insurance goal at 15:43 of the third period on the power play when rookie Colton Beck fed the puck from the left circle to the right-wing post to Steve Quailer and Quailer buried the shot to give Idaho a 3-0 lead. Eamonn McDermott also picked up an assist on Quailer's first ECHL tally after spending his first three seasons entirely in the American Hockey League, the highest level of minor-league hockey in North America.
Utah spoiled the shutout when Michael Pelech knocked home a shot with just over three minutes left, but Roy kept the Grizzlies at bay from there as the Steelheads improved to 1-0-0 to start the season.
Roy got the win with his 30 saves. Marcoux took the loss, allowing three goals on 30 shots. Idaho went 1-3 on the power play while Idaho's penalty-kill unit was a perfect 4-for-4.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday, October 18, for Idaho's home opener at CenturyLink Arena. Puck drops at 7:10 PM and tickets are available by calling the CenturyLink Arena box office at 208-331-8497
COORS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME – Jason Bast
CENTURYLINK THREE STARS:1) Olivier Roy (ID)2) Jason Bast (ID)3) Alan Krushelnyski (UT)
Group outings at a Steelheads game are a great way to gather friends, colleagues, or co-workers for a fun night out in downtown Boise. Ticket prices are discounted and you can get a Pepsi, Double-R Ranch Hot Dog, and bag of Tim’s Cascade Chips with each ticket. Contact the Steelheads front office at 208.383.0080 or log on to www.idahosteelheads.com for more information.
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