PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (39-23-5) @ RAPID CITY RUSH (28-32-8)

FRIDAY, MAR. 29, 2019 | 7:10 P.M. MTCENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDRADIO: 1350 AM KTIK | TV: CABLE ONE CH. 72 | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads head into the midway game of their three-game weekend set against the Rapid City Rush from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads dropped their nine-game point streak in Wednesday’s loss, suffering just their second regulation loss in the season series this season. However, the Steelheads still have controlled the season set, boasting a 11-2-2 record despite holding a 4-2-1 record at CenturyLink Arena alone. The loss also broke a six-game streak of one-goal games at home in the set. Overall, the Steelheads hold a 37-12-4 record all-time in the franchise series while winning 22 of 28 games over the Rush during the last two seasons.

Last Game: The Steelheads dropped the opening game of the weekend 5-3 to the Rush from Wednesday night from CenturyLink Arena. Rush forward Dexter Dancs (PS, 11:56 1st) opened the scoring on a penalty shot to take a 1-0 lead. Steelheads forward Will Merchant (14:02 1st) answered back before Rush defenseman Brandon Fehd (19:09 1st) and forward Cedric Montminy (14:38 2nd) took back the lead, 3-1. Steelheads forward A.J. White (4:45 3rd) pushed back for the home side, but Montminy (9:30 3rd) added his second for a 4-2 lead. Steelheads forward Kyle Schempp (PP, 10:45 3rd) helped draw within one, 4-3, before Rush forward Justin Faryna (EN, 19:55 3rd) sealed the victory at 5-3. Adam Carlson (20-16-5) stopped 45 of 48 shots in the win, while Tomas Sholl (24-12-0) halted 22 of 26 shots in the loss.

Super ‘Shroom: Despite the Steelheads dropping a four-game win streak on Wednesday, the team has still been producing at a swift rate both in scoring and shot differential. The Steelheads are averaging 4.20 goals per game while scoring three or more goals in six of their last seven contests since March 9 and holding opponents to 1.80 goals per game in that same five game stretch. The Steelheads have also held the Rush under 30 shots in three-straight games while adding over 45 shots for the fourth time this season and second time this month (March 9: 49 shots; Wednesday: 48 shots). The Steelheads rank in the top-5 in goals per game (3.39, 5th) and goals-against per game (2.78, 3rd) with five games remaining in the regular season.

Shooting Short: For the fifth time this season, the Steelheads faced a penalty shot against while sliding downward in converting in that department. As a team, the Steelheads have dropped three-straight penalty shots against since February 2 while goaltender Tomas Sholl has split his two attempts with one save and one goal allowed. On the season, the Steelheads have attempted just two penalty shots, both by Kale Kessy, and failed to convert while going 2-for-5 (40.0%) in halting opponents’ opportunities. However, in shootouts, the Steelheads convert at a 20.0% rate (3-for-15) in scoring and a 73.3% rate (11-for-15) in saving attempts.

Rank & Kyle: Steelheads forward Kyle Schempp has been heating up on the power play, now scoring in back-to-back games while staying hot down the stretch. The Saginaw, Mich., native is now on a four-game point streak, posting five points (2g, 3a) while moving within one of his longest streak of the season at five games (1-4–5) from December 22 through January 5. Over his last 12 games, Schempp has points in nine of those games, posting 11 points (5g, 6a) and sitting tied for second in scoring since February 27, only trailing Elgin Pearce (6-6–12) in that stretch. On the season, Schempp sits in the top-six in scoring on the roster, tallying 38 points (15g, 23a) and blowing by all career-best numbers.

Merch Out: Steelheads forward Will Merchant remains one of the hottest players on the roster, extending his point streak to five games thanks to his goal in the first period. The tally gives him six points (4g, 2a) over his last five games, and his time with the Steelheads has been largely productive. Thus far, he is averaging just under a point per game with seven points (4g, 3a) in nine games since his return to Idaho on March 6 and is sitting just under one-third of his point total in Greenville in nearly one-sixth of the season. Merchant recently broke the 100-point plateau with the Steelheads, owning 101 points (42g, 59a) in 148 career games.

Just-In Time: Rush forward Justin Faryna has been a stabilizing presence as the squad looks to make a late push into the postseason. The Calgary, Alb., native recorded a two-point night in Wednesday’s win, now owning points in three of his last five games and averaging one point every other game on the season. With his assist, he now shares his North American career-high in assists and is on his best pace of his career, posting 16 points (8g, 8a) through 30 games since returning on January 11 after parts of four seasons in Europe. His previous best North American season was in 2013-14, when he recorded 23 points (15g, 8a) through 64 games.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads close their season series with the Rush on Saturday, Mar. 30 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 1350 KTIK-AM "The Ticket" and at 7:00 p.m. on Cable One Ch. 72 and ECHL.TV.