BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads (21-11-3) scored twice early in the third period, sealing a 4-2 win over the Toledo Walleye (23-9-3) on Wednesday night from CenturyLink Arena.
After weathering an early storm of pressure by the Walleye, the Steelheads answered with the game’s opening tally. At 14:00, Steelheads Steve McParland dove into the crease to poke a loose puck past the goal line following a Jeff King shot to edge ahead 1-0.
The Walleye and Steelheads went back and forth in the second period starting with Walleye defenseman Matt Register from the slot at 4:17 to tie the game, 1-1. Coming out of the penalty box, Steelheads defenseman Keegan Kanzig joined a 2-on-1 rush and sniped a one-time shot from the right circle at 6:57, taking another lead at 2-1. The Walleye answered late in the period at 15:20 with a shot by forward T.J. Hensick, leveling the game at 2-2.
Just 0:46 into the third period, McParland notched his second goal on the night thanks to a rebound and sweeping shot from the slot to take back the lead again, 3-2. Steelheads forward Robbie Payne padded the lead with another rebound goal, this time crashing the net from the slot at 3:47 to double the lead, 4-2. The Steelheads held a potential comeback bid away from the Walleye to ensure the victory to open the weekend.
Steelheads goaltender Tomas Sholl (13-4-0) turned aside 29 of 31 shots in the win, while Walleye netminder Pat Nagle (13-6-1) stopped 29 of 33 shots in the loss. The Steelheads and Walleye resumed their three-game weekend on Friday, Jan. 11 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. on 1350AM KTIK as well as 7:00 p.m. on CableOne Ch. 72 and ECHL TV.
Single-game tickets and season ticket packages are on sale, with full-season packages starting as low as $300 per seat. Contact the Idaho Steelheads at 208-383-0080 for more information or log on to idahosteelheads.com.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
New Mexico Goatheads
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trenton Ironhawks
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers