PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (5-7-2) VS. RAPID CITY RUSH (6-5-2)

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14, 2018 | 7:10 PM | CENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDRADIO: 1350AM KTIK | TV: CABLEONE CH. 72 | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads open a three-game weekend and six-game stretch against the Rapid City Rush from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads meet the Rush 17 times this season, which is a franchise-high for a single season. Last year, the Steelheads earned a 11-2-0-0 record in their series, and they also own a four-game win streak crossing over from last season and a five-game win streak at CenturyLink Arena since the 2016-17 season. The Steelheads only played in four one-goal games against the Rush.

Last Game: The Steelheads scored early but fell 5-4 in overtime to the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday night at CenturyLink Arena. The Steelheads grabbed the first three goals thanks to forwards A.J. White (3:28 1st), Spencer Naas (5:07 1st) and Steve McParland (15:27 1st) to triple up the lead early, 3-0. The Oilers would score two goals near the end of each period starting with defenseman Steve Kaunisto (17:03 1st) and forward Roman Ammirato (19:09 2nd) to draw within one, 3-2. Steelheads defenseman Nolan Gluchowski (2:34 3rd) spread the lead back to two, 4-2, before Oilers forward Adam Pleskach (PP, 10:20 3rd) and Steve Perfetto (EA, 19:05 3rd) sent the game to overtime, 4-4. Ammirato (4:45 OT) scored the winner to give the Oilers the 5-4 win. Devin Williams (4-1-2) halted 29 of 33 shots in the win, while Ryan Faragher (1-2-1) saved 36 of 41 shots in the overtime loss.

Post-Regulation: For the first time this season, the Steelheads slipped in a game closing in overtime and just the second time overall. The loss breaks a three-game stretch of positive post-regulation results since October 14 against Tulsa but keeps the Steelheads on the positive side of their decisions after the third period. The Steelheads remain with a 3-2 record in post-regulation play including a 2-1 record in overtime games. The Steelheads are 1-1 in overtime games at home this season. Last year, the Steelheads went 2-5 in overtime and 7-2 in shootouts.

Going Streaking: Once again, the Steelheads find themselves with multiple player streaks heading into tonight’s game. Forwards Spencer Naas and Steve McParland led the Steelheads last week with three points (2g, 1a) and take a three-game streak into the weekend. Naas is on his third three-game streak following a three-point (1g, 2a) run from October 26-30, and McParland is now on his third point streak after dual three-game streaks in October (2+2=4, October 13-19; 2+3=5, October 26-30). McParland leads the Steelheads in scoring 13 points (7g, 6a) and shares the lead in goals, and Naas sits second in goals and fourth in scoring with nine points (5g, 4a).

More Nailbiters: The Steelheads continue to play in close games early in the season, and with Saturday’s results still maintain their ranking atop the ECHL in one-goal games. The Steelheads have now played 11 of their first 14 games with a one-goal differential, holding as the only team across the league with double-digit one-goal results. The three games that haven’t been stretched apart by one goal came on October 30 in Indy (5-3 W), November 2 in Toledo (4-0 L) and November 4 in Kalamazoo (3-1 L) as part of their six-game road trip. The Steelheads now hold a 4-5-1-1 record in one-goal games with the overtime loss.

Point Activation: The Rapid City Rush have made a point of scraping together points recently to help their case and climb through the Mountain Division. Despite losing two of three games last week, the Rush have grabbed points in eight of their last 10 games, going 6-2-1-1 in that span and includes a three-game sweep of the Tulsa Oilers with all three results coming in post-regulation play. Rapid City shares the league lead in games played in overtime or a shootout with six games, going 4-2 overall including a 3-1 record just in overtime games.

Mr. 600s: Two Rapid City players will be making their 600th professional appearance this evening with one having Steelheads ties. Rush captain Riley Weselowski will play his 600th game during his 11th professional season and 9th with the Rush. He opened his career with the Steelheads from 2008-09, earning 14 points (3g, 11a) through 60 games played in just over one season before heading to the Rush, where he has played now 471 games with 179 points (32g, 147a). Forward Brandon Mashinter also celebrates his 600th professional game after signing with the Rush on Monday. The 30-year-old makes his first ECHL appearance after spending his first nine professional seasons in the NHL and AHL with 64 games of NHL experience between San Jose, New York and Chicago.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads continue their home stand against the Rush on Friday, Nov. 16 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.