PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (4-6-1) VS. TULSA OILERS (4-0-4)

SUNDAY, NOV. 7, 2018 | 7:10 PM | CENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDRADIO: 1350AM KTIK | TV: CABLEONE CH. 72 | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads begin their six-game home stand with the first of three games against the Tulsa Oilers from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads play the Oilers three times this weekend to reach the midway portion of their 10-game season series. In their last meeting during opening weekend, the Steelheads split their two games in Tulsa with a 2-1 loss and 5-4 shootout win on October 13 and 14, respectively. Since their franchise series began in 2014-15, the Steelheads are 11-4-0 against the Oilers as well as 3-2-0 at Century Link Arena.

Last Game: The Steelheads fell 3-1 to the Kamazoo Wings on Sunday at Wings Event Center. After a scoreless first period, Wings forward Wade Murphy (SH, 13:33 2nd ) opened the scoring to gain a 1-0 lead before Steelheads defenseman Brady Norrish (PP, 14:28 2nd ) tied the game, 1-1. Wings forward Justin Taylor (PP, 16:32 2nd; EN, 19:39 3rd) re-gained the lead for the home side then scored the final insurance goal, giving the Wings a 3-1 win. Keegan Asmundson (1-0-0) stopped 29 of 30 shots in the win, while Tomas Sholl (1-2-0) halted 23 of 25 shots in the loss.

Away & Home: The Steelheads finished their second-longest road trip of the season, spanning six games in 12 days along with four different teams. Over that run, the Steelheads earned a 2-4-0-0 record with wins in Utah (3-2 OTW) on October 27 and Indy (5-3 W) on October 30. Their longest road trip of the year comes from January 21 through February 9, spanning nine games over four weekends all against Mountain Division opponents. Tonight’s game begins a six-game home stand, and the Steelheads will play 15 of their next 18 games at CenturyLink Arena through the holidays.

Two For Tuesday: The Steelheads received two players from the Texas Stars on Tuesday with the additions of forward Tony Calderone and goaltender Colton Point. Calderone has two goals over nine professional games with AHL Texas following a four-year career with the University of Michigan, where he served as captain for his senior season and was named a 2018 Hobey Baker Award nominee after 45 points (25g, 20a) in his final season to go along with 92 points (54, 38a) in 134 career games. Point was named a 2018 Hobey Baker Award Finalist following his sophomore season at Colgate University, posting a 16-12-5 record with a 1.74 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. Through five games with AHL Texas, Calderone owns a 1-3-0 record with a 3.96 goals-against average and a .854 save percentage.

Nordic Influence: Steelheads defenseman Brady Norrish has continued his scoring trend through the first month of the season, scoring his second power play goal on Sunday. Through 11 games this season, the Strongfield, Sask., native has eight points (3g, 5a), which places him tied for 4th among ECHL defensemen in scoring as well as tied for 2nd in goals scored. Among rookies across the league, Norrish sits in the top-15 in scoring and now is tied for third on the Steelheads in that same department. He’s one of two Steelheads rookies in the top-four in team scoring (Brad McClure: 6+3=9).

Oiled Up: The Tulsa Oilers finished their season-opening eight-game home stand with a trio of post-regulation losses to the Rapid City Rush last week. The Oilers are not only the only team without a road game this season but also the lone team without a regulation loss and one of six teams without a home regulation loss. Coming into tonight, the Oilers have played four-straight games in post-regulation play and five of their first eight games, going 1-4 in those games including 1-2 in overtime and 0-2 in shootouts.

Point Bakery: Oilers defenseman Terrance Amorosa played a big part in the Oilers’ results last weekend, leading the team in scoring with four points (1g, 3a) over their three-game series. The run puts him as just one of two players with a three-game point streak heading into this weekend and slides him up to six points (1g, 5a) through eight games this season. He leads all Oilers defensemen in scoring and sits second among rookies in the same category. Amorosa is also tied for the team lead in assists.

Next Game: The Steelheads continue their weekend set against the Oilers on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:10pm from CenturyLink Arena. Tickets are available by calling 383-0080 or going to www.IdahoSteelheads.com. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. MT on 1350-AM KTIK and ECHL TV as well as 7:00 p.m. on CableOne Channel 72.