PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (5-7-1) VS. TULSA OILERS (5-1-4)

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

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads close their three-game weekend against the Tulsa Oilers at CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: With their loss last night, the Steelheads have now split their first four games with the Oilers, and after tonight’s game the two sides will be halfway through their 10-game season series. All four games have been separated by one goal, and all three games in regulation have seen third period comeback attempts. The Steelheads host a 12-5-0 overall record over the Oilers in their franchise series. The Steelheads went 5-1-0 last season in the series.

Last Night: The Steelheads pushed hard in the third period but fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Oilers from CenturyLink Arena. The Oilers opened up the game with three goals in the opening period from defensemen Dylan Bredo (PP, 1:26 1st), Chris Forney (9:29 1st) and Kyle Rhodes (18:24 1st), taking a 3-0 lead before the end of the frame. Steelheads defenseman Eric Sweetman (8:39 2nd) answered back to cut the lead to 3-1 before Oilers forward Adam Pleskach (11:51 2nd) re-opened their three-goal lead, 4-1. The Steelheads scored two goals in one minute from forwards Brad McClure (12:39 3rd) and Steve McParland (PP, 13:38 3rd), drawing them within one, 4-3. However, the Oilers held on for the win. Evan Fitzpatrick (2-0-2) stopped 33 of 36 shots in the win. Colton Point turned aside five of eight shots in 20:00 minutes, and Ryan Farager (1-3-0) picked up the loss, saving 20 of 21 shots in 40:00 minutes of relief.

Pushing Back: The Steelheads continue to showcase compete when trailing in games to make a right late in games. With their two goals last night in the third period, the Steelheads now lead 11-8 in goals in the third period while outpacing opponents by nearly a 3:2 ratio in shots (150-101). However, the Steelheads own a 2-4-0-0 record when outshooting their opponents and have had to make third period pushes in all six games. Their lone wins in this scenario came in post-regulation play (Oct. 14 @ TUL, 5-4 SOW; Oct. 19 vs. UTA, 6-5 OTW).

Powered Up: After a slower start on the power play, the Steelheads have picked up more consistent production thanks to another power play goal last night. Their goal helps them to goals in three of their last four games, going 3-for-19 (15.8%) during that stretch but scoring power play goals in three losses in that time. After starting the season with goals in two of their first six games, the Steelheads now have power play goals in five of their last seven contests (5-for-28, 17.9%).

How Sweet It Is: Steelheads defenseman Eric Sweetman scored his first goals of the season last night and continues a strong run of point production. The Woodmine, Md., native has points in three-straight games, marking the sixth player this season to hold at least a three-game streak. Of his four points (1g, 3a) this year, two of his assists came on the power play and marked his first two points of the year. Sweetman has three point streaks through his first two professional seasons, joining his three-game streaks from Jan. 24-27, 2018 (1+4=5) and Mar. 23-30, 2018 (2+2=4).

Solid Blue Line: Last night’s scoring started with an unusual trend before reversing in the back half of the game. All four goals between both teams and three of the four total tallies by the Oilers came from defensemen. It’s the most defensive scoring in a Steelheads game this season, but the Steelheads have not seen a defenseman score more than once in a game. The Steelheads have had seven of their 34 goals (20.6%) come from defensemen, and the Oilers have seen eight of 31 goals (25.8%) come from the blue line.

End Of Skid: Last night’s win for the Tulsa Oilers broke a four-game losing skid, marking their first win of November after struggling to get to an early start. The Oilers had allowed the opening goal in three of those four games after starting the year scoring the opening tally in five of their first six games. There have been only two games this year where the Oilers have trailed in shots, and both results were wins against the Steelheads (45-28, Oct. 14 vs. IDH; 36-29, Nov. 9 @ IDH) and the most shots the Oilers have faced in a game this season.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads continue their six-game home stand on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7:10pm from CenturyLink Arena against the Rapid City Rush. 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.