Steelheads Weekly - Mar. 18, 2019

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Steelheads (36-22-5) clinched a postseason berth but head into the final three games of their five-game road trip beginning on Tuesday.

LAST WEEK…

Saturday, March 16 @ Orlando Solar Bears: 6-2 LShots: Steelheads 30, Solar Bears 35PP: Steelheads 1-for-4, Solar Bears 1-for-2

The Steelheads were taken down in a 6-2 loss from Amway Center. The Solar Bears scored three goals in the first period and three more in the second period to spread the lead to 6-0. The Steelheads answered with a tally by forward Steve McParland (PP, 18:22 2nd) and another by forward Elgin Pearce (12:52 3rd) to cut into the lead, 6-2. However, the Steelheads couldn’t add to the push in the loss. Tomas Sholl (21-11-0) stopped 29 of 35 shots in the loss.

Sunday, March 17 @ Orlando Solar Bears: 4-1 WShots: Steelheads 25, Solar Bears 37PP: Steelheads 1-for-4, Solar Bears 0-for-5

The Steelheads utilized strong special teams play in a 4-1 win from RDV Sportsplex Ice Den. Forward Henrik Samuelsson (4:33 1st) notched the lone even-strength goal for the Steelheads to jump ahead 1-0. The first of two shorthanded goals on the evening was scored by forward Will Merchant (SH, 10:38 1st) before the lone Solar Bears goal brought the lead back to one, 2-1. Forward Elgin Pearce (SH, 5:49 2nd) added the second shorthanded tally, and forward Steve McParland (PP, 16:28 2nd) finished the scoring with his second power play goal of the weekend to secure the 4-1 win. Tomas Sholl (22-11-0) turned aside 36 of 37 shots in the win.

THIS WEEK…

Tuesday, March 19 @ Orlando Solar Bears – 5:00 p.m. MTFriday, March 22 @ Rapid City Rush – 7:05 p.m. MTSaturday, March 23 @ Rapid City Rush – 7:05 p.m. MT

The Steelheads close their three-game series with the Orlando Solar Bears while also opening a five-game stretch with the Rapid City Rush to close that season series. The Steelheads won their first game in three attempts against the Solar Bears in their franchise history heading into the rubber match of this year’s series. However, both losses came at Amway Center while the lone win was away from their main home facility. The Steelheads have played nine games so far against South Division opponents over the last two seasons, winning six of nine games with a 6-3-0-0 record including wins in three of four games this season.

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.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS…

$2 Beer Wednesday: Finish “Hump Day” and rally for the rest of the work week with $2 Beer Wednesday, presented by Bud Light. For just $2, enjoy Bud Light beer throughout the evening to continue Happy Hour. Call the Steelheads at 208-383-0080 for tickets and information.

Four For $48 Friday: Bring the family to enjoy a Steelheads home game every Friday night this season. For just $48, you’ll receive four tickets, four fountain drinks, and four Double R Ranch hot dogs. Call the Steelheads at 208-383-0080 for more information.

STEEL STATS…

Quick Bites:- The Steelheads clinched a postseason berth for the 22nd-straight year, which continues the longest active streak in North American professional sports as well as the only team in professional sports with playoff appearances in every year of existence. In addition, the Steelheads set a new ECHL record for 16-straight playoff appearances.- The Steelheads scored two shorthanded goals for the first time this season, which also breaks them into double-digits. Nine different players have combined for 11 shorthanded goals, which ranks eighth in the ECHL.- Forward Steve McParland scored a pair of power play goals over the weekend helping the Steelheads to goals in four of five games on the power play as well as his fifth power play goal of the year. He sits tied for second on the team in that category and leads with 23 total goals and 49 points.- Forward Elgin Pearce is on a three-game goal streak, scoring four goals in that span. He owns 13 points (7g, 6a) since February 15 (14 games) to lead the team in that stretch.

 Team Leaders:GOALS:                                23 – Steve McParlandASSISTS:                             33 – A.J. WhitePOINTS:                               49 – Steve McParlandPP GOALS:                            9 – Reid PetrykSH GOALS:                            2 – Steve McParland/Kyle SchemppGW GOALS:                           5 – Brad McClure/Reid PetrykPIMS:                                   279 – Kale KessyPLUS/MINUS:                    +29 – Keegan KanzigSHOTS:                                219 – Steve McParlandWINS:                                    22 – Tomas ShollGAA:                                    2.27 – Tomas ShollSAVE %:                              .929 – Tomas Sholl

Mountain Division Standings:

BROADCAST INFORMATION…

All road games during the 2018-19 regular season are broadcast on 1350AM KTIK “The Ticket” as well as ECHL.TV. Pre-game coverage begins 20 minutes before puck drop on 1350AM KTIK “The Ticket” and ECHL TV.

Tune in every Tuesday-Thursday from 6:00-7:00 p.m. to the Bud Light Idaho Steelheads Hockey Show, featuring Steelheads news, analysis and insight from around the ECHL.

The Steelheads head south to open a three-game series with the Orlando Solar Bears on Saturday, Mar. 16 at 5:00 p.m. MT from Amway Center and 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.