WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Idaho Steelheads (1-0-0) scored early and held off a comeback attempt, taking down the Utah Grizzlies (0-1-0) with a 3-2 win on Friday night from Maverik Center. The Steelheads win their first road game to open the season since 2014-15 and their opening game for the second time in three seasons.
The Steelheads scored the first goal of the new season on the power play at 15:45 of the first period when forward Joe Basaraba found forward Zack Andrusiak for a one-time shot outside the left circle for his first professional goal and the lead, 1-0. Just over one minute later at 16:54, forward Brett Supinski also nets his first professional goal on a deflection off a shot by Captain A.J. White to double the lead, 2-0.
After another scoreless front half of a period, the Grizzlies netted their first goal of the year on the power play at 10:46 thanks to a one-time shot by forward Travis Barron to cut the lead in half, 2-1. However, the Steelheads answered back at 14:44 when a takeaway by forward Spencer Naas led to a shot by forward Anthony Nellis from the left circle, spreading the lead back to 3-1.
In the third period, the Grizzlies put back an early response at 1:44 thanks to forward Yuri Terao to cut the lead down to one again, 3-2. Despite being outshot in the final frame, the Steelheads held off the Grizzlies’ attempts at a comeback and took their first win of the season.
Steelheads goaltender Tomas Sholl (1-0-0) halted 30 of 32 shots in the win, while Grizzlies netminder Hunter Miska (0-1-0) stopped 36 of 39 shots in the loss.
The Steelheads close their opening weekend against the Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 7:10 p.m. from Maverik Center. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 1350AM KTIK “The Ticket”.
The Steelheads open the 2019-20 home schedule at CenturyLink Arena on Friday, Oct. 18 against the Wichita Thunder to kick of Home Opening Weekend. Call the Steelheads Front Office at 208-383-0080 to plan your seats for this season, including single-game, flex plans and season tickets. Stay connected to the Steelheads on idahosteelheads.com or by following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers