PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (11-5-4) VS. RAPID CITY RUSH (12-5-3)

FRIDAY, NOV. 29, 2019 | 7:10 P.M. MTCENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDTICKETS: CLICK HERETV: SPARKLIGHT CH. 72 | RADIO: 1350-AM KTIK | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads meet the Rapid City Rush following the Thanksgiving holiday at CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads earned their first win in four meetings with the Rush on Wednesday night, and after the overtime result have played two games in post-regulation and three one-goal games. So far, the Steelheads own a 1-2-0-1 record in their 13-game season series with the Rush, and all seven of their home meetings come in consecutive order through February. The Steelheads have points in 20 of 25 meetings and own a 39-15-5 all-time record against the Rush as well as going 17-5-4 at CenturyLink Arena.

Last Game: The Steelheads edged out the Rapid City Rush in a 4-3 overtime win on Wednesday night from CenturyLink Arena. Rush forward Stephane Legault (6:53 1st) earned the first goal of the night early to snag a 1-0 lead, and the tying goal didn’t come until the next frame on a tip by Steelheads forward Max Coatta (3:28 2nd) for his first professional goal and a 1-1 game. The next four goals came within a three-minute span going back and forth between Rush forward Tyler Coulter (PP, 10:55 3rd), Steelheads forward A.J. White (PP, 12:28 3rd), Rush forward Peter Quenneville (12:28 3rd) and Steelheads forward Marc-Olivier Roy (13:41 3rd) to head to overtime, 3-3. Steelheads forward Anthony Nellis (0:38 OT) finished off the night and the 4-3 scoreline. Tomas Sholl (9-2-3) denied 39 of 42 shots in the win, while Tyler Parks (5-1-3) halted 29 of 33 shots in the overtime loss.

Going Streaking: The Steelheads are officially on a winning streak for just the second time this season, earning wins in three-straight games since last Friday. The run is the first time since the opening four games of the season that the Steelheads have strung together at least three-consecutive wins, and in this run the team is averaging 3.67 goals per game while earning one-goal wins in back-to-back nights compared to the start of the season with a 3.25 goal-per-game average and two one-goal wins in one more game played. The Steelheads are also now 5-2-0-0 at home to start the season with eight games remaining in their four-week, 12-game home stand.

Feel The Power: Along with their winning streak, the Steelheads power play has also hit three-straight games but comes as a more recent overall trend of scoring on the man-advantage. The Steelheads now have power play goals in six of their last seven games since November 16, going 7-for-21 (33.3%) thanks to their 1-for-5 five effort on Wednesday. The game was their first with five or more power play chances since November 6 (nine games) and just their third in 20 games this season. Over their seven-game stretch, the team has climbed into the top-10 in power play rate at 20.3 percent and now sits fifth in home conversions (6-for-23, 26.1%).

Close Knit: For the first time this season, the Steelheads went into back-to-back overtime games and also claimed wins in both outings. The Steelheads have now won three-straight games ending in overtime while also playing in one-goal games during 13 of their first 20 games (65.0%), earning points in 11 of 13 games (78.6%) with a 7-2-2-2 record. They’re one of five teams with at least seven wins (Allen, Cincinnati, Rapid City, Reading) and just the Steelheads and Rush (8-3-3-0) have points in 11 one-goal games this season. The Steelheads are now 4-2 in overtime games and 3-0 in home overtime results.

French Connection: Steelheads forward Anthony Nellis netted the game-winner on Wednesday night for his first winning goal since Opening Night on October 11, but his recent play has picked up over the last three weeks. Since November 15, the Breakeyville, Que. native shares the team lead in scoring with Marc-Olivier Roy but leads in goals, posting five points (3-2–5) over that eight-game span with his first multi-point game coming on Wednesday (goal, assist). His recent surge has moved him into the top-five in team scoring, owning 10 points (5-5–10) over his first 20 games with the Steelheads and tying his goal total from last year’s 10-game stint in Fort Wayne.

No Petering Out: Rush forward Peter Quenneville has been not only a strong player against Idaho but has continued his surge across the league in the first 20 games of the season after another two-point night on Wednesday. The Edmonton, Alb. native already eclipsed his ECHL-high in scoring set in 2015-16 with Cincinnati (11-15–26) in 38-fewer games and is currently on a six-game point streak with 12 points (6-6–12) and goals in all six games. Quenneville leads the ECHL in assists (18) and sits second in points (27) while only trailing Reading’s Ralph Cuddemi (16-12–28), who leads in scoring and goals.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads and Rush close the weekend on Saturday, Nov. 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" as well as 7:00 p.m. on Sparklight Ch. 72 & ECHL.TV.