PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (25-16-7) VS. UTAH GRIZZLIES (27-13-7)

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

GAME NOTES: CLICK HERE

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads open Jayden DeLuca Foundation Weekend with a rivalry meeting against the Utah Grizzlies from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads host the Grizzlies for just the second time this season and the first since November 1, however the two sides have worked through six games this year and the Steelheads lead the series with a 4-1-1 record following a shootout loss on January 20. That game marked the first home win of the season series heading into a stretch of seven-straight home games during the 16-game season set. The Steelheads are 102-51-27 against the Grizzlies all-time in the franchise series.

Last Game: The Steelheads ran out of time in a 2-1 loss against the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night from CenturyLink Arena. The Rush netted the opening goal from forward Darian Romanko (10:37 2nd) beyond midway through the game followed by a second tally the next frame by defenseman Chris Leibinger (7:14 3rd) to take a 2-0 lead. The Steelheads began their comeback bid soon after with a tally from forward Colby McAuley (13:01 3rd) to cut the lead in half, 2-1, however there was not enough time to finish in the loss. Gordy Defiel (2-2-1) halted 38 of 39 shots in the win, while Colton Point (5-8-2) denied 20 of 22 shots in the loss.

New Month, Who Dis?: The Steelheads closed January with a 6-5-2 record and opened the new month on a down note following a 14-point month for the second time this season. The Steelheads share the second-most wins and points in a month with their November output (6-7-2, 14 points) in two fewer games, however it trails their best record posted in December (8-3-1, 17 points). Heading into their fifth month, the Steelheads have gone 13-3-3 in odd-numbered months including points in all seven games in October (5-0-2 record) and going undefeated in road games during those months (7-0-3 record). Like February, both their October and December schedules came with long portions at home with Training Camp leading into the season and a 12-game homestand crossing into December.

Killing In The Name: The Steelheads penalty kill has been one of the best units in the ECHL over the last seven weeks and continued last weekend to start the home stretch. The Steelheads are perfect now in six-straight games on the penalty kill through 17 attempts as well as nine of their last 10 games (29-for-30, 96.7%). Since now allowing a power play opportunity on December 18 (20 games), the Steelheads have only allowed five power play goals, boasting a 63-for-68 (92.6%) conversion rate and propelling themselves from 16th in the ECHL to fourth heading into tonight. The Steelheads own a 86.6% penalty kill rate, which would be their best dating back to the 2007-08 season.

Slow Starts: For the second-straight game, the Steelheads were held away from the opening goal of the contest against the Rush on Saturday, which illustrates a continuing trend for the Steelheads. The team has fallen behind after the first goal in three of their last four games as well as six of nine contests since January 15, earning wins in only one of those six games (January 31 vs. RC: 3-2 OTW) and two of three where they score first. In fact, the Steelheads have not had back-to-back games with the opening goal since December 21 & 27 (16 games). The Steelheads began the year with the opening goal in four-straight ages and seven of 10 contests, but overall the team is 8-13-5 when conceding the opening tally.

King of the Castle: Steelheads defenseman Jeff King heads into a new month returning to his spot on the blue line but not before amassing one of the strongest months of his career. During January, the St. Clair, Mich. native posted nine points (4-6–10) through 12 games during the month, which leads the Steelheads in overall scoring, sits tied for first in goals with forward A.J. White (4-2–6), and is second in assists behind forward Marc-Olivier Roy (1-8–9). His run puts him one goal behind his career-best set last season (six) and two points back of reaching the 20-point mark. On the year, King owns 18 points (5-13–18) in 31 games, sitting tied for the team lead in scoring among defenseman with Colton Saucerman (7-11–18), and his 49 points slots him 10th in all-time career points for a Steelheads defenseman in the ECHL era.

Timmy Rampage: Grizzlies forward Tim McGauley is having himself a season in his third professional year and comes into the weekend on a four-game point streak (1-6–7). The two-time ECHL Player of the Month owns 44 points (17-30–47) over the last two months including his two games in February, which would place him in the top-eight ECHL scorers over the entire season. McGauley is second in the ECHL in scoring (18-40–58) in 42 games this season while leading the league in assists and sitting second with a plus-33 rating.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads and Grizzlies meet again on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:10 p.m. 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.