QUICK HITS: The Homestretch

The Homestretch: The Steelheads return to Boise this week for their final home stand of the regular season, a three-game series against the Colorado Eagles. With the playoff picture still undetermined, the set at CenturyLink Arena could have a major impact on the Mountain Division standings. The Steelheads sit in third place in the division and would face the second-place Allen Americans if the playoffs started now. Yet with the Americans just three points behind the first-place Eagles and with a game in hand, the Steelheads can play a major role in their first round destiny, with a series victory over the Eagles perhaps allowing the Americans to catch the Eagles and lay the groundwork for a playoff opener in Loveland.

Can They Clinch: Before the Steelheads can talk playoff scenarios, they first must clinch their spot. Idaho is well-positioned with a magic number of two points to clinch. That means that the Steelheads will have an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth on home ice with a win on Wednesday night. Idaho can also clinch a spot with a regulation loss by the Missouri Mavericks or the Alaska Aces. The Steelheads seek their 20th playoff berth in 20 seasons, and 14th consecutive playoff berth in the ECHL, the longest active streak in the ECHL.

High on the List: Rob Linsmayer continued to rack up points in Wheeling this weekend, earning an assist in each game to extend his points streak to seven contests. While the Steelheads celebrated the 20th Anniversary Reunion Game back in Boise, Linsmayer was working his way past some pretty important names on the Steelheads ECHL lists. Linsmayer has now played in 194 games for the Steelheads, passing Blake Forsyth for sole possession of sixth place on the team’s all-time ECHL list. Linsmayer also grabbed his 90th assist and 146th point with the Steelheads, passing Scott Burt for fourth in assists and fifth in points by a Steelhead in the ECHL era.

Knocking on 30: Anthony Luciani scored his 29th goal of the season into an empty net on Saturday night, setting a new personal career high and also recording his 300th career point (including last season in Europe). Luciani is one goal away from becoming just the tenth Steelhead to score 30 goals in an ECHL season – D’Arcy McConvey and Garett Bembridge (2006-06); Marty Flichel and Derek Nesbitt (2006-07); Bryan McGregor (2008-09); Mark Derlago and Evan Barlow (2009-10); Derlago again (2010-11); Wade MacLeod and Jason Bast (2014-15).

Best in Bow: Landon Bow returned to the Steelheads from AHL Texas over the weekend and tacked on two more wins to his record in his first pro season, now standing at 17-5-2. Bow now leads all ECHL goaltenders with a 2.18 goals-against average and ranks second with a .930 save percentage. He has held opponents to two goals or less in nine of his past 11 starts.