RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Idaho Steelheads (7-2-3) were set down on penalties late in the game but earned one point in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Rapid City Rush (7-3-2) on Friday night from Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
After a scoreless first period, the Steelheads converted their momentum from the opening frame into the middle portion, and early in the second they capitalized. At 2:10, Steelheads forward Anthony Nellis was opened in the right circle and beat the netminder short side straight off a faceoff to snatch the 1-0 lead. Late in the period, Steelheads forward Eric Sweetman found a fortunate bounce onto his stick in the high slot and snapped a power play goal at 19:07, doubling the advantage to 2-0 heading into the third period.
Despite the lead, two late power plays brought the Rush back into the game. Defenseman Trey Phillips turned in a blueline shot at 12:25 to initially draw within one, then forward Giovanni Fiore popped in an open puck at 17:59, and both power play goals sent the game into overtime, 2-2.
After a scoreless overtime, the Steelheads and Rush went to seven rounds, where Rush forward Tyler Coulter found the lone goal of the shootout to seal the 3-2 result.
Rush netminder Tyler Parks (4-1-2) halted 34 of 36 shots in the win and all seven shootout attempts. Steelheads goaltender Tomas Sholl (5-1-3) turned aside 28 of 30 shots in the loss as well as six of seven in the shootout.
The Steelheads and Rush close their weekend set on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:05 p.m. from Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 1350-AM KTIK “The Ticket” and ECHL.TV.
The Steelheads return to CenturyLink Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 20 against the Orlando Solar. 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