STEELHEADS POWER RANKINGS: Shootout Efficiency

Steelheads Power Rankings!

This is the weekly edition of Idaho Steelheads Power Rankings, where we at IdahoSteelheads.com will see where the Steelheads and their players rank among the best of the best in the ECHL.

Saturday night in Utah was one heck of a goaltending duel between Idaho’s Jack Campbell and Utah’s Ryan Faragher. It took a shootout to determine a winner and that was just fine with the Steelheads, who are now 3-1 in the breakaway contest. Part of the reason has been a very high shooting percentage for players like Jefferson Dahl. The Steelheads have been lethal with the puck in the shootout, but where do they rank amongst the rest of the ECHL in shootout efficiency? Let’s find out!

*All Statistics current as of 2/16*

5) Indy Fuel- .429 (3 goals on 7 attempts)

The Fuel have only been in two shootouts this season, but they’ve taken them both. That’s significant for a team that is battling on the fringe of the Western Conference playoff picture, even if that success did come much earlier in the season. The Fuel have gotten three shootout goals from three different players, with their first shootout coming on Opening Day and their second victory in mid-November in a five-round tilt with Alaska. Just as important as their three goals are the six saves on six attempts against by goaltenders Shane Owens and Mac Carruth. Carruth is currently in AHL Rockford.

4) Elmira Jackals- .444 (8 goals on 18 attempts)

The Jackals have played in six shootouts this season, the fourth-most in the ECHL. That’s worked out well for them, with the Jackals going 5-1 in the breakaway contest and undefeated up until this past Friday in Florida. The Jackals have gotten shootout scoring from six different players this season, with Cason Hohmann (2-for-3) and Colin Jacobs (2-for-5) the only players to find the back of the net twice.

3) Evansville IceMen- .500 (3 goals on 6 attempts)

It’s a small sample size, but the Evansville IceMen have had little trouble scoring in shootouts this year with three goals on six attempts. They’re 1-1 in the shootout because they haven’t gotten many saves either, surrendering two goals on four shot. For the IceMen, who are ten points out of a playoff spot, they’d probably be ok rolling the dice by playing in a few more shootouts. They have played seven games decided in the overtime session, going 2-5 in the five minute 3-on-3.

2) Greenville Swamp Rabbits- .500 (six goals on 12 attempts)

The Swamp Rabbits are loving the breakaway contest, going 4-0 in shootouts this year. Not only has Greenville stopped 11 out of 13 attempts against his year, they’ve scored on half of their own attempts too. The Swam Rabbits have four different shootout scorers this season, with Jordan Knackstedt accounting for three of Greenville’s six shootout goals. The Swamp Rabbits’ shootout success also benefits from power in the leadoff spot, scoring in the first round of all four shootouts this year.

After a slow start to the season in overtime, the Steelheads are back to .500 in extra time, going 5-5 in the overtime and shootout. That’s thanks to two shootout wins in the last three weeks, including Saturday’s 1-0 shootout win in Utah. The Steelheads are 3-1 in the shootout this year with all three wins coming on the road. Emil Molin was 3-for-3 in the shootout prior to his recall to the AHL, and Jefferson Dahl has stepped right in as Idaho’s go-to guy with goals in three straight attempt, 3-of-4 on the year. Jack Campbell has been a solid addition to the breakaway contest, stopping all five shooters he has faced in going 2-0.

1) Idaho Steelheads- .539 (seven goals on 13 attempts)