MAITLAND, Fla. – The Idaho Steelheads (36-22-5) rode strong on special teams to take a 4-1 win over the Orlando Solar Bears (34-22-5) on Sunday evening from RDV Sportsplex Ice Den. With the win, the Steelheads have clinched a spot in the 2019 Kelly Cup Playoffs and continue their streak of postseason appearances to 22-straight seasons without missing a postseason in franchise history.
The Steelheads opened up with the first two goals of the evening starting at 4:33 of the first period when forward Henrik Samuelsson tapped in a cross-ice pass from the left wall into an open goal mouth to take the 1-0 lead. On their first penalty kill, the Steelheads converted thanks to a turnover caused by forward A.J. White to find forward Will Merchant open in front of the net at 10:38, doubling the lead to 2-0. The Solar Bears answered at 13:34 with a goal from defenseman Cody Donaghey to cut the lead in half, 2-1.
For the first time this season, the Steelheads scored their second shorthanded goal in a game, but it came in the second period. At 5:21, forward Elgin Pearce led into the offensive end and sniped a shot from the high slot to double the lead again at 3-1. Special teams control continued for the Steelheads at 16:28 when defenseman Charlie Dodero found forward Steve McParland off the left post for a one-time touch into the net to spread the lead to 4-1.
With no scoring in the third period, the Steelheads cruised their way to a 4-1 win and force a rubber match on Tuesday. Steelheads goaltender Tomas Sholl (22-11-0) turned aside 36 of 37 shots in the win, while Solar Bears netminder Connor Ingram (3-2-0) stopped 20 of 24 shots in the loss.
The Steelheads and Solar Bears finish their three-game stretch on Tuesday, Mar. 19 at 5:00 p.m. MT from Amway Center. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. MT on 1350 AM KTIK and ECHL.TV.
The Steelheads return to CenturyLink Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 7:10 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush. 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