PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (25-15-7) VS. RAPID CITY RUSH (24-17-4)

SATURDAY, FEB. 1, 2020 | 7:10 P.M. MTCENTURYLINK ARENA | BOISE, IDTICKETS: CLICK HERETV: SPARKLIGHT CH. 72 | RADIO: 1350 KTIK-AM | STREAM: ECHL TV

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads finish their two-game weekend against the Rapid City Rush from CenturyLink Arena on Beef Night on the Ice.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads have won two of their last four games against the Rush with both coming at CenturyLink Arena in overtime. However, the Rush still own the season series through seven of 13 total meetings, forcing the Steelheads to a 2-4-1 record in the season set. Tonight is the fifth of seven-straight series games at CenturyLink Arena, and the Rush can still win just two games to claim the season set. Overall, the Steelheads are 40-17-5 all-time against the Rush and 18-7-4 at CenturyLink Arena.

Last Night: The Steelheads came from behind to win 3-2 in overtime over the Rush on Friday night from CenturyLink Arena. The Rush tallied twice late in the opening period thanks to forwards Tyler Poulsen (14:30 1st) and Brennan Saulnier (16:49 1st) to swiftly double up their advantage, 2-0. The Steelheads answered the next frame on a net front play by forward A.J. White (14:52 2nd), cutting the lead in half at 2-1. Steelheads defenseman Brady Norrish (PP, 2:58 3rd) leveled the score, 2-2, while stepping up from the blue line deep into the zone and forcing overtime. Steelheads forward Brett Supinski (2:28 OT) sealed the comeback with a shot from below the goal line and off the back of the goaltender for the 3-2 win. Tomas Sholl (19-7-5) turned aside 25 of 27 shots in the win, while Gordy Defiel (1-2-1) stopped 40 of 43 shots in the overtime loss.

Bonus Hockey: The Steelheads have been comfortable heading into and completing overtime games this season, now winning three-straight games in overtime since December 31. After dropping two of their first three overtime results, the Steelheads have now won seven of their last eight since November 2 and own a 8-3 record this season, marking the second-straight year of hitting eight overtime wins while tying for the most since the 2007-08 season. The Steelheads are one win from tying the most post-regulation wins in that time as well with the 2008-09 season (12-4 overall) while boasting a 11-6 record in that category for the second-straight season. The Steelheads have played five of their seven games in at least overtime, going 3-2 in that stretch.

Comeback Kids: Last night’s win was the Steelheads’ fifth comeback win of the season and seventh time earning at least one point. With a comeback being defined as winning after trailing to begin the third period, the Steelheads have now performed the feat in consecutive Friday games, winning last week in Kansas City (4-3 SOW) after trailing 3-2 and last night over Rapid City (3-2 OTW) after trailing 2-1. In fact, four of the five comeback wins this season have been finished in overtime or later with the lone exception coming in their first on October 26 in Allen (4-3 W) though having their largest deficit at 3-0 late in the second period. Six of the seven positive comeback results have finished in post-regulation play, and the Steelheads are now 5-8-1-1 (.400) when trailing after the second period, owning the second-best record behind Allen (6-6-3-0, .500) for wins and percentage.

Soup For You: Steelheads forward Brett Supinski capped off last night’s comeback with the overtime winner, producing his second game-winning goal of the season following his marker on October 12 in a 3-1 win in Utah. Since returning to the lineup consistently beginning on January 12, the Collegeville, Penn. product has points in three-straight games (1-2–3) and six of his last nine contests, boasting six points (3-3–6) and sharing the team lead in scoring during that time with A.J. White (3-3–6). He’s been a successful boost in the lineup during his rookie season, owning 23 points (12-11–23) in 28 games played, sitting fifth on the team in scoring and second in points per game (0.82). 

The Bren-Winner: Rush forward Brennan Saulnier continues to lead his team with the absence of three of the other top-four point producers on the team. As Peter Quenneville (Rockford) and Giovanni Fiore (Toronto) serve in the AHL and Tyler Coulter (IR) remains out of the lineup, the Halifax, N.S. native has eight points (5-3–8) over his last three games as well as points in eight of 12 contests (10-10–20) since January 4 while leading the Rush in penalty minutes (94). In his rookie season, Saulnier sits second on the team in scoring (19-17–36) through 40 games while also boasting second among ECHL rookies in assists and third among rookies in scoring. 

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads continue their homestand on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:10 p.m. against the Utah Grizzlies from CenturyLink Arena. Tickets are available by calling 208-331-TIXS 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.