PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (11-8-3) VS. UTAH GRIZZLIES (13-3-4)

FRIDAY, DEC. 7, 2018 | 7:10 PMCENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDRADIO: 1350AM KTIK | TV: CABLEONE CH. 72 | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads welcome back the Utah Grizzlies to CenturyLink Arena on Military Appreciation Night, presented by Sport Clips.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads pick back up their rivalry against the Grizzlies after splitting their first four games of the season. The Steelheads won both games in overtime, including their last appearance on October 27 in Utah (3-2 OTW), and all four games were separated by one goal. The Grizzlies have the point advantage with tallies in all four games so far. The two play four times over the next three weeks before the end of the 2018 calendar year. The Steelheads are 94-44-24 against the Grizzlies all-time.

Last Game: The Steelheads completed a comeback against the Jacksonville Icemen during a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday from CenturyLink Arena. Icemen forward Everett Clark (9:31 1st) and defenseman Dajon Mingo (14:48 1st) took an early 2-0 lead in the first period before the Steelheads made their charge back. Steelheads forward Reid Petryk (18:13 2nd) started the churn back with the Teddy Bear Toss goal to cut the lead in half, 2-1. An odd-man rush led Steelheads defenseman Colton Saucerman (SH, 5:56 3rd) to the game-tying goal and a tie game, 2-2. In overtime, Steelheads forward Spencer Naas (4:05 OT) sealed the comeback and the 3-2 win. Tomas Sholl (6-3-0) halted all 16 shots in relief for the win, while Tanner Jaillet (3-4-1) stopped 36 of 39 shots in the overtime loss. Ryan Faragher saved eight of 10 shots to open the game.

Overtime Magic: The Steelheads have been successful this season when deciding games in overtime, especially at CenturyLink Arena. The team has now won consecutive overtime results at home and in consecutive home Saturday games (Nov. 17 vs. RC, 2-1 OTW) and four of five games overall when decided in overtime, going 3-1 at CenturyLink Arena. The Steelheads now share the most overtime wins in the ECHL (4) with the Orlando Solar Bears and have the best overtime record among teams with at least one overtime result.

Keep Eating: The win on Saturday night keeps the Steelheads paving forward in their run up the Mountain Division standings. For the second time in three weeks, the Steelheads are on a season-high three-game win streak and now have wins in five of their last six games as well as points in eight of nine games dating back to November 10. In their last six games, the Steelheads are averaging just 1.67 goals per game while only conceding more than two goals once (Nov. 23 @ RC, 4-1 L), which was also their only loss in the run. They’re also averaging two goals more per game than allowed (3.67) and have racheted up their shot production, posting more than 30 shots in four of six games (42.50 shots per game).

Sholl-Sational: Steelheads netminder Tomas Sholl came into Saturday’s game and helped turn the tide around to get the overtime win. The 16-save effort exemplifies the recent stretch that Sholl has compiled over the last few weeks. The Bowling Green State University product has now won five of his last six games, posting a 1.22 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage with two shutouts in that time. Now that he is considered among qualifying goaltenders, Sholl leads the ECHL in goals-against average (1.73) and save percentage (.940) and is tied for second in shutouts. He’s the only goaltender with a sub-2.00 average and at least a .940 save percentage in the ECHL through nine games played.

Reid Your Fortune: Steelheads forward Reid Petryk continues his current strong run with another goal on Saturday night. With that tally, the Edmonton, Alb., product extended his point streak to four games, notching five points (3g, 2a) during that span with three points on the power play (2g, 1a). The run ties the season-high set by three other players (Brad McClure, Brady Norrish, Spencer Naas) and is the third player of those four with five points in that time. Petryk as more than tripled his point total for the season, spotting seven points (4g, 3a) now through 16 games with the Steelheads.

You’re The Top: The Utah Grizzlies saw two players earn CCM/ECHL Player of the Month for November for the first time. Forwards Caleb Herbert and Cole Ully each earned 21 points in November with Herbert (10g, 11a) outpacing Ully (5g, 16a) in goals but working together on the same line. Both Herbert and Ully earned 11-game point streaks to finish the month before both dropping the run to open December. Each posted eight multi-point games in the month and lead the ECHL in scoring with Herbert (17+16=33) leading Ully (8+21=29) atop the league. Herbert also leads in goals and Ully leads in assists.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelhead and Grizzlies finish their two-game weekend on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7:10 p.m. from CenturyLink Arena. Tickets are available by calling 208-383-0080 or going to IdahoSteelheads.com. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. MT on 1350-AM KTIK and ECHL TV as well as at 7:00 p.m. on CableOne Channel 72.