BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads (1-0-1) closed the 2018 preseason with a 2-1 shootout loss against the Utah Grizzlies (1-1-0) on Saturday night at CenturyLink Arena.
The Steelheads and Grizzlies took just 40 seconds to spar with Jack Nevins and Teigan Zahn dropping the gloves to open the game. However, the Grizzlies opened the scoring in the first period at 15:56 thanks to a turnover and goal by forward Cole Ully to jump ahead 1-0.
A fight between Steelheads defenseman Clint Lewis and Grizzlies forward Austin Carroll highlighted an otherwise scoreless second period, but that led to an early tally for the Steelheads in the third period. At 6:23, forward Brad McClure stashed a loose puck through a scrum at the net and across the line to tie the game, 1-1.
Without a goal for the rest of regulation and overtime, the two sides went into a shootout. In the third round, Grizzlies forward Caleb Herbert slotted a shot into the net, giving the road side the 2-1win. Grizzlies goaltender Brandon Wildung (1-0-0) stopped 22 of 23 shots in the win, and Christian Frey began with 16 saves on 16 shots. Steelheads netminder Ryan Faragher (0-0-1) halted 25 of 26 shots in the shootout loss.
The Steelheads open the 2018 regular season schedule on Friday, Oct. 12 at 6:05 p.m. MT against the Wichita Thunder from Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kan. Coverage begins at 5:50 p.m. MT on 1350-AM KTIK and ECHL TV.
The Steelheads open the 2018-19 home schedule at CenturyLink Arena on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7:10 p.m. against the Utah Grizzlies. Single-game tickets and season ticket packages are on sale, with full-season packages starting as low as $300 per seat. Contact the Idaho Steelheads at 208-383-0080 for more information or log on to idahosteelheads.com.
STEELHEADS STATS:Shots: IDH 39 - UTA 27Power Play: 0-for-3 (0.0%)Penalty Kill: 4-for-4 (100.0%)
CENTURYLINK THREE STARS OF THE GAME:1. Caleb Herbert (UTA) - GWG (SO)2. Brad McClure (IDH) – GTG3. Cole Ully (UTA) - 1G
COORS LIGHT PLAYER OF THE GAME:Brad McClure - Game-tying goal in the third period, extends to goals in consecutive games
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