Steelheads Open Season with 3-2 Win Over Grizzlies

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.