STEELHEADS POWER RANKINGS: Top 5 3rd Period Teams

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.

One of the most important qualities of a successful team is its ability to close out a game, to put its foot down and finish off an opponent late in the game. The Steelheads have been a solid team late in games with excellent third periods, but where do they rank among the rest of the ECHL? Let’s take a look at the five best third period teams in the league!

*All Statistics current as of 2/8*

5) Missouri Mavericks

The Missouri Mavericks are first overall in the ECHL with 73 points in the standings, ten more than the next best team. One reason is that they have the ECHL’s fifth-best goal differential in the third period at plus-11. While that’s strong, the Mavericks are strong right out of the gate, their plus-25 differential in the first period and plus-23 rating in the second period both leading the league. The Mavericks are 27-1-1 when leading after two periods.

4) Idaho Steelheads

The Steelheads’ plus-12 goal differential in the third period is fourth in the ECHL, and is their strongest period. The Steelheads have actually surrendered two more goals than they’ve scored in the first period of games and three more than they’ve scored in the second. Those numbers are weighted by their difficult start to the season, but they’ve been strong in the third throughout. Since January 1st, Idaho is just plus-4 in the third period but they don’t surrender leads with generally strong defense. The Steelheads are 19-1-1 in games they lead after two periods and they have earned points in all nine games they have played that are tied at the end of two, going 5-0-4.

3) Fort Wayne Komets

If you finish a game as strong as you started it, you’re going to give yourself a chance to win. Not only have the Komets earned the third-best goal differential in the third period with a plus-14, but their stats are almost identical to their first period performance. They have scored 48 goals in the first and final frames this season, surrendering 29 goals in the first period and 34 in the third. The Komets have also launched 93 more shots on goal than their opponents this season in the third period. Fort Wayne is 18-0-0 this season when leading after two periods, one of only four teams undefeated when taking a lead into the third period.

2) Reading Royals

The Reading Royals lead the ECHL in third period scoring with 56 goals and a plus-23 differential. Despite this success in the third, the Royals are just seventh in the Eastern Conference and holding onto a playoff spot by two points. Part of that is due to a minus-6 performance in the second period. Reading’s goal differential number is strong, but situationally the Royals have left points on the table. The Royals are 16-1-2-1 in games they lead after two periods. Only three other teams in the ECHL have left points on the board in four or more games that they led entering the third period, none of which are currently in playoff position

1) Florida Everblades

The Eastern Conference-leading Everblades also have a plus-23 goal differential in the third, by far their best period. The Everblades are another team undefeated this season when leading after two periods, 23-0-0. They are 6-1-0 when tied after two periods. The Everblade’s 26 goals against in the third are the fewest in the ECHL, seven fewer than any other team. Florida has been outscored just twice in the third period in 14 games since January 1st. The Everblades outscored Idaho 3-1 in third periods in five meetings this season.