PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (37-22-5) @ RAPID CITY RUSH (27-30-8)

FRIDAY, MAR. 22, 2019 | 7:05 P.M. MTRUSHMORE PLAZA CIVIC CENTER | RAPID CITY, SDRADIO: 1350 AM KTIK | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads open a five-game stretch against the Rapid City Rush as well as a two-game weekend from Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads have already claimed the season series against the Rush with five games remaining in the season series, winning nine of their 12 games this year with a 9-1-2 record. Most recently, the Steelheads broke a six-game winning streak with an overtime loss on February 16 but have points in seven-straight games since November 24 in the head-to-head series. The Steelheads have won 20 of their last 25 games against the Rush and own a 35-11-4 record in the franchise series.

Last Game: The Steelheads finished their Florida trip strong with a 7-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears on Tuesday night from Amway Center. After Solar Bears forward Mathieu Foget (PP, 3:25 1st) opened the scoring early, the Steelheads answered with five-straight goals. Steelheads forward Connor Chatham (5:13 1st) netted his first goal of the season, then forward Elgin Pearce (10:45 1st) pushed the Steelheads ahead, 2-1, before defenseman Nolan Gluchowski (PP, 11:41 1st) scored the eventual game-winner for a 3-1 advantage. Steelheads forwards Spencer Naas (1:23 2nd) and Steve McParland (PP, 12:30 2nd) kept the run going before Solar Bears forward Jackson Playfair (18:31 2nd) found an answer for a 5-2 scoreline. Steelheads forwards Will Merchant (EN, 15:52 3rd) and Naas (18:24 3rd) sealed the game with the final two goals in a 7-2 win. Tomas Sholl (23-11-0) halted 38 of 40 shots in the win. Corbin Boes (9-9-3) stopped 11 of 14 shots in the loss, and Connor Ingram turned away 24 of 27 shots in relief.

Top Dogs: With their win on Tuesday, the Steelheads reclaimed first place in the Mountain Division with just eight games to go in the 2018-19 regular season. The Steelheads not only hold their own destiny to stay atop and claim their first division title since 2014-15 but also decide the fate of other playoff hopeful teams. If the Steelheads win both games this weekend, they could put the Rapid City Rush and Wichita Thunder out of the playoff picture paired with three points earned by the Kansas City Mavericks and four points lost by the Thunder, which would seal the top-four teams with two weeks remaining. The Steelheads are one point ahead of the Tulsa Oilers for first place, but the Oilers have one game in-hand.

Power of P: Forwards Robbie Payne and James Phelan returned to the Steelheads ahead of tonight’s game, helping to bolster the depth of the team’s forward core. Payne has been stellar in two stints in Idaho, averaging one point-per-game with nine points (5g, 4a) in nine games along with two game-winning goals and an active four-game point streak of seven points (3g, 4a) from December 22 through January 12. Phelan makes his second stint with the Steelheads after appearing in two games in Tulsa on January 5 and 6 but coming off 45 games with AHL Texas and 74 points (33g, 41a) in 64 games last season in the QMJHL.

Mac Trucking: Steelheads forward Steve McParland continues his dominance on the power play and bolstered his point total with his first four-point night on Tuesday. His four-point night is his first for his professional career, and it’s also his first three-assist night since Dec. 10, 2016 with South Carolina (8-2 W) and just his second in his professional career. On the power play, the Schreiber, Ont., native is now on a three-game goal streak with tallies in all three games against Orlando and has six points (3g, 3a) in his last three contests. McParland is now tied for 8th all-time in Steelheads ECHL career goals with Kael Mouillierat (2009-13) and three goals away from breaking into the top-five and overtaking Rob Linsmayer (2012-17) in that category. He leads the Steelheads in goals and scoring with 53 points (24g, 29a).

Gold Rushing: The Rapid City Rush could have their playoff fortunes decided this weekend, and the opening of these next two weeks could set the tone for the end of their season. Despite winning five of six games against the Utah Grizzlies over the last two weeks, their elimination number stands at just seven points, which is points earned by Kansas City and lost by the Rush over the rest of the season. Should the Rush fall in their next two games and the Mavericks earn three points between tonight and tomorrow, the Rush would be eliminated from playoff contention. The Rush need to see the Mavericks finish with a 3-6-0 record at best paired with the Rush winning all seven games remaining this season. The Rush have five games against the Steelheads followed by two games against the Mavericks to close their regular season schedule.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads finish the road portion of their season series with the Rush on Saturday, Mar. 23 at 7:05 p.m. from Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 1350AM KITK and ECHL.TV.