PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (2-3-1) vs. UTAH GRIZZLIES (3-0-1)

FRIDAY, OCT. 26, 2018 | 7:05 PM | MAVERIK CENTER | WEST VALLEY CITY, UTRADIO: 1350AM KTIK | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads begin a six-game road trip and continue their four-game stretch against the Utah Grizzlies from Maverik Center.

Head-To-Head: In their first two meetings last weekend, the Steelheads and Grizzlies have split their meetings in half with the Grizzlies owning a one-point lead in the head-to-head matchup thanks to an overtime loss last Friday. The two sides have nine of their last 17 games separated by just one goal and three of their last five. The Steelheads own a 93-43-24 record in their ECHL franchise series, needing seven wins to reach 100 for the franchise.

Last Game: The Steelheads fell 2-1 to the Grizzlies on Saturday night from CenturyLink Arena. Grizzlies forward Caleb Herbert (8:25 1st) opened the scoring to take a 1-0 lead. The first of two special teams goals came from Grizzlies forward Josh Winquist (PP, 10:51), giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead. Steelheads forward Justin Parizek (SH, 18:01 2nd) cut the lead in half, 2-1, on an odd-man rush, but the team could not erase the deficit. Grizzlies goaltender Kevin Carr halted 27 of 28 shots in the win, while Steelheads netminder Philippe Desrosiers saved 28 of 30 shots in the loss.

Going For One: The Steelheads have seen a one-goal differential for the fifth-straight game to start the season while earning points in three of those five contests. The team leads the ECHL in one-goal games and is the only team across the league to play all of their games with a one goal difference. The Steelheads earned a 16-7-5-3 record last season in games separated by just one goal and a 7-8 record in post-regulation play (2-5 overtime, 7-3 shootout).

Short & Sweet: The Steelheads have scored shorthanded goals in three consecutive games thanks to Justin Parizek’s goal on Saturday night. With the goal, the Steelheads move into a share for the ECHL lead in shorthanded goals with the Orlando Solar Bears and are just one of six teams with multiple shorthanded goals. The Steelheads also lead in road shorthanded goals (2) and are one of 12 teams yet to condede a goal against while on the power play.

Idaho Trail: The Steelheads are still hunting for their first lead and win in regulation and hope to turn that around this weekend. In five games, the Steelheads have been held away from a lead in all 310:43 minutes of play, only leading when scoring the winning goal in overtime and a shootout, and they’ve also trailed in 212:10 minutes of those games, which averages to 68.3% of play this season trailing in games. However, the Steelheads have never trailed by more than two goals, and they’ve outscored their opponents 6-2 while outshooting them 59-20.

Going Streaking: Steelheads forward Justin Parizek scored the lone goal in Saturday’s 2-1 loss against the Grizzlies, and with that goal he extends his point streak to three games. During that time, the second-year forward has posted four points (1g, 3a)and how stands as the active leader in scoring streaks. Parizek also leads the team in assists in scoring (2+4=6) through five games. Last season, Parizek finished second on the team in scoring (27+33=60). Brad McClure (3+2=5) has the longest point streak this season at four games.

Early Birds: The Grizzlies have earned points in all four games this season with help in large part to an early start. The team hasn’t trailed in regulation, and they’ve scored the opening goal in all four games, running ahead as the only team in the ECHL to do so. In the process, they’ve also earned the most points (7) in this situation and are just one of three teams to score four opening goals, joining Manchester and Newfoundland.

Powered Up: The Grizzlies own the best power play in the ECHL an added to their strong run last Saturday with one of their two goals coming in that situation. Overall, the team is 8-for-23 (34.8%) on the power play while benefitting from having seventh-most advantages in the ECHL, however the Grizzlies own the most power play goals scored in the league with the closest team being the Reading Royals (7 goals), who sit in third place. The Grizzlies have four-straight games with power play goals and are the lone ECHL team to record such a feat in all of their games played.

Next Game: The Steelheads finish their four-game stretch against the Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7:05 p.m. from Maverik Center. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 1350-AM KTIK and ECHL TV.