Steelheads earn win over Grizzlies in preseason opener

Boise, ID (10/6/17) – Jefferson Dahl netted the game-winning goal early in the third period at Maverik Center on Friday night, sending the Steelheads to a 2-1 win over the Utah Grizzlies in the first of two preseason games between the squads this weekend.

Dahl scored just 1:28 into the third period, grabbing the rebound of a Mitch Moroz shot at the top of the crease and banging in the rebound to give Idaho its first lead of the game. The Steelheads made that hold up behind seven third-period saves from rookie goaltender Chris Truehl.

Truehl and goaltender Branden Komm split the game, with Komm making 14 saves on 15 shots in 30:12 of work and Truehl stopping the final twelve shots, including a breakaway stop in the second period.

The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead at 6:36 of the first period on their first power play chance, with forward Kyle Thomas beating Komm under the left pad with a wrister from the left face-off dot.

The Steelheads tied the game late in the first on a goal from rookie Dan Tedesco. Driving down the right wing, Tedesco flicked a backhander towards the net that was then accidentally batted in by the glove of a Utah defender at 17:33.

The Steelheads outshot Utah 34-27, with forward Steve McParland and defenseman Eric Sweetman each earning four shots on goal. Idaho killed off four of five shorthanded situations, and was 0-for-5 on the power play.

The Steelheads will host the Grizzlies in exhibition action on Saturday night at 7:10pm at CenturyLink Arena, a game which will be reserved for season-ticket holders.

Preseason games will not be broadcast on radio or on ECHLTV. Follow the Steelheads on Twitter (@Steelheads) and Instagram (idahosteelheads) for in-game updates, and visit idahosteelheads.com for full post-game coverage.