PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (5-6-1) VS. TULSA OILERS (4-1-4)

FRIDAY, NOV. 9, 2018 | 7:10 PM | CENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDRADIO: 1350AM KTIK | TV: CABLEONE CH. 72 | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads play the second of their three-game week against the Tulsa Oilers from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads have won back-to-back games against the Oilers with one-goal differentials to take a 2-1-0 series lead out of their 10-game schedule. All three games this season have been separated by one goal with one result in non-regulation play (Oct. 14 @ TUL, 5-4 SO). With the win, the Steelheads improve their home record to 4-2-0 over the last five seasons and 12-4-0 overall since the franchise series began in 2014-15.

Last Game: The Steelheads scored early and held off the Oilers in a 3-2 win on Wednesday night at CenturyLink Arena. Steelhead forward Joe Pendenza (1:37 1st) opened the scoring on the first shot to take a 1-0 lead followed by a goal from forward Spencer Naas (5:24 1st) coming off the back of the netminder, doubling the lead to 2-0. The Steelheads added to their lead thanks to defenseman Brady Norrish (6:34 2nd) to hold a 3-0 lead before the Oilers made their comeback. Oilers defenseman Kyle Rhodes (PP, 11:29 2nd) cut into the lead, 3-1, and answer the scoring run, and forward Peter Sivak (12:40 3rd) brought the Oilers within one, 3-2, before the Steelheads held on for the win. Colton Point (1-0-0) stopped 28 of 30 shots in the win. Devin Williams (3-1-2) halted seven of 10 shots in the losss, and Evan Fitzpatrick saved all 15 shots in relief.

Coming In Hot: The Steelheads helped break a three-game losing skid on Wednesday thanks to early scoring and a strong start. The Steelheads scored on the first shot of the night and tabbed their earliest goal in a game this year at 97 seconds, which also marked just the third time the Steelheads scored the game’s opening goal. Their three-goal lead was their second-largest of the season, and the team not only led after the first period for the first time but also led through both intermissions for the first time this season. The Steelheads were previously outscored 15-4 in the first period heading into last night’s game.

Going Streaking: Steelheads defenseman Brady Norrish notched his second multi-point game of the season to not only score the game-winning goal but stretch his point streak to three games. During the run, the Saskatoon native has four points (2g, 2a) with one power play goal and one game-winning goal, moving his season total to 10 points (4g, 6a) through 12 games and rises to second on the team in scoring. Across the league, the rookie is now in the top-10 in rookie scoring (T-8th), 2nd among ECHL defenseman in scoring and shares the lead for goals and power play goals by a defenseman.

Highly Efficient: The Steelheads have been outpaced in shots for a majority of their games (7 of 12), but Wednesday night’s shot efficiency was the deciding factor. The team’s 12.0% (3-for-25) conversion rate was their third-highest of the season and second while trailing in shots, only following their 14.7% (5-for-34) conversion rate on October 30 during their 5-3 win in Indy. This season, the Steelheads are converting on 8.1% of their shots, which is just under their rate from the 2017-18 season (9.1%) as well as the league average (9.8%) this season.

Creaky Door: The Tulsa Oilers dropped their first game in regulation this season on Wednesday night but continues winning woes over the last two weeks. Despite gaining three points, the Oilers have lost four-straight games, all by a one-goal differential, while conceding the game’s opening goal in three of their four contests. Wednesday’s loss was the first time the Oilers hadn’t answered after the game’s opening goal and trailed by more than one goal during that span. The Oilers have outshot their opponents in all four of those games while averaging the most shots in the ECHL.

Greased Lightning: Oilers goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick has slowly taken the reigns as the netminder of note over his first professional month. The St. John’s, Newfoundland native stopped all 15 shots in relief on Wednesday, surpassing partner Devin Williams in both major categories while also sliding into the top-5 among active ECHL goaltenders in goals-against average (1.90). While he only has one win through four professional appearances, he’s helped earned positive results in all three starts, including a shootout loss to Idaho on October 14 (40-44 SV). Fitpatrick was selected 59th overall (2nd Round) by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Draft and won the Memorial Cup with Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL).

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads finish their weekend set against the Oilers on Saturday, Nov. 10 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.