WICHITA, Kan. – The Idaho Steelheads (0-0-1) earned a point but fell 3-2 in a shootout to the Wichita Thunder (1-0-0) on Friday night at Intrust Bank Arena.
Near the end of a penalty-free first period, the Thunder edged ahead with the first goal of the 2018-19 season. At 16:50, forward Jakob Stukel found an open puck in front of the Steelheads net and found the net to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Thunder doubled the lead, 2-0, at 3:15 of the second period on a goal from Pierre-Cedric Labrie, but the Steelheads came back with an answer. At 10:01, Steelheads forward Brad McClure forced a turnover and took a mini-breakaway into the back of the net, cutting the lead in half at 2-1. Steelheads defenseman Brad Norrish tied the game, 2-2, at 14:48 after pushing in a rebound off a Justin Parizek shot from the right point.
After a scoreless third period and overtime, both sides went four rounds in a shootout. However, Thunder forward Colin Jacobs scored the winner in the sudden-victory round to take the 3-2 win over the Steelheads. Thunder goaltender Stuart Skinner (1-0-0) stopped 38 of 40 shots in the win, while Steelheads netminder Philippe Desrosiers (0-0-1) halted 37 of 39 shots in the shootout loss.
The Steelheads continue their opening weekend on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 6:05 p.m. from BOK Center against the Tulsa Oilers. 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.
CenturyLink Three Stars of the Game:1. Colin Jacobs (WIC) - GWG (SO)2. P. C. Labrie (WIC) - 1G3. Philippe Desrosiers (IDH) - 37-39 SV
Pepsi Player of the Game:Philippe Desrosiers - Saved 37 of 39 shots in return ot Boise, helped to pick up a point
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