PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (31-17-3) VS. RAPID CITY RUSH (20-25-8)

SATURDAY, FEB. 16, 2019 | 7:10 P.M.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 Rapid City Rush from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads have now claimed the season series over the Rush with six games left, owning a 9-1-1 record with six-straight wins since November 24 and three-straight at home. Four of the six remaining games are set in Idaho, where the Steelheads have earned points in all five games (4-0-1) with their lone loss in a shootout on November 14. Overall, the Steelheads have won 20 of their last 24 games head-to-head and own a 35-11-4 record against the Rush.

Last Night: The Steelheads held off the Rush in a 2-1 win on Friday night from CenturyLink Arena. For the second-straight game, Steelheads forward Henrik Samuelsson (0:36 2nd) opened the scoring in the contest to take a 1-0 lead after a scoreless first period. Steelheads forward Elgin Pearce (8:14 3rd) added a tally that would prove to be the game-winner and double the lead to 2-0. Rush forward Pierre-Luc Mercier (12:30 3rd) cut the lead in half at 2-1, but despite their continued push back the Steelheads earned the victory. Tomas Sholl (17-9-0) halted 22 of 23 shots in the win, while Tyler Parks (4-6-2) saved 30 of 32 shots in the loss.

Home Cooking: The Steelheads have benefitted from playing at CenturyLink Arena now with wins in four-straight games since January 18 and eight of nine contests dating to December 22. Last night’s game was the first non-overtime win at home since January 12, but overall the Steelheads are just one of six teams with at least 18 home wins (including three in the Mountain Division) along with the fewest regulation losses in the division (five). The Steelheads are 18-5-1-1 at home this year and own the third-best home point percentage (.760) in the ECHL, only trailing the Cincinnati Cyclones (.875) and Florida Everblades (.800), the top-two overall teams in the ECHL standings.

Upping The Chances: After three-straight games of being held south of 25 shots in a game, the Steelheads have rebounded with opportunities coming back to CenturyLink Arena. In back-to-back games, the Steelheads have posted over 30 shots against the Rush, marking 31 of their 51 games (60.8%) with a minimum of 30 shots so far this season. At home, the Steelheads are averaging 31.22 shots per game while also owning more than 30 shots in eight-straight games since January 9. On the year, the Steelheads average 32.14 shots per game, sitting 10th in the ECHL, and have a 10.4% shot conversion rate.

Nail Biters: As the ECHL season edges closer to the Kelly Cup Playoffs, more games start to accordion down to one goal differentials and overtime games, and the Steelheads have seen that early season trend come back in the last few games. Now in back-to-back and three of their last four games, the Steelheads have been separated by just one goal by the end of the night, winning two of those three contests. Overall, just over one half of the Steelheads win total have been by one goal (16-of-31, 51.6%), and last night was the 27th one-goal game this season, which is also over half of the team’s schedule (52.9%). The Steelheads own a 16-8-1-2 record in one-goal games.

Sammy Sniper: Steelheads forward Henrik Samuelsson has played two games in Idaho and scored not only in back-to-back games but also to open the game in two-straight nights. The Pittsburgh, Penn., native now owns a six-game ECHL point streak dating back to last season with eight points (4g, 4a) as well as points in nine of his last 10 ECHL games since Jan. 26, 2018 and 12 points (4g, 8a). Of the four goals scored in regulation by the Steelheads this week, his line has produced five of the 10 total points earned by Steelheads players with Samuelsson (2) and Kessy (2) earning points in back-to-back games.

Mercy, Mercier: Rush forward Pierre-Luc Mercier has taken over as the Rush scoring leader following the departure and trade of Andrew Radjenovic, but he has remained consistent throughout the season. With his goal last night, the Montreal, PQ native has points in four-straight games with one goal and five assists (six points) as well as points in six of his last seven games (1+7=8) since January 29 while scoring his first goal since January 11 (12 games). He now shares the active goal lead (11) while maintaining his lead on the team in assists (26) and scoring (37). He leads all Rush players in points against the Steelheads through 11 games (5+4=9).

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads open a three-game weekend against the Tulsa Oilers on Wednesday, Feb. 20 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 KITK and at 7:00 p.m. on CableOne Ch. 72 and ECHL TV.