PREVIEW: IDAHO STEELHEADS (26-16-7) VS. UTAH GRIZZLIES (27-14-7)

SATURDAY, FEB. 8, 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 finish their four-game homestand on Jayden DeLuca Foundation Night against the Utah Grizzlies from CenturyLink Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads won their first game at home against the Grizzlies this season during their first host of the 2020 calendar year, improving their record to 5-1-1 in the season series. After all five games in the 2019 section of the season were won by road teams, the first two games in the 2020 part of the season were won by home teams. This is the second of seven-straight games at home against the Grizzlies through the end of March and the third game of the 16-game season set. The Steelheads own a 103-51-27 record against the Grizzlies in the all-time franchise series.

Last Night: The Steelheads earned their fourth shutout of the season in a 4-0 blanking of the Grizzlies on Friday night from CenturyLink Arena. After a scoreless first period, the Steelheads netted the eventual game-winner in the middle frame thanks to captain A.J. White (SH, 6:17 2nd) on a takeaway in the offensive zone for the 1-0 lead. Steelheads forward Anthony Nellis (10:12 2nd) added a second tally on a jab toward the net, doubling the lead at 2-0. In the third period, the Steelheads pushed across two more goals thanks to forward Colby McAuley (2:38 3rd) off a net front pass as well as a blue line shot from defenseman Brady Norrish (PP, 17:14 3rd) to take the 4-0 win. Tomas Sholl (20-7-5) halted all 24 shots in the win, while Martin Ouellette (17-8-2) stopped 31 of 35 shots in the loss.

Shut ‘Em Down: The Steelheads earned their fourth shutout win in consecutive seasons during last night’s win and their first for the new decade. It’s the most shutout wins in a season since the 2017-18 season when the team put up eight shutouts. After the first two shutouts came on the road, the last two have been at CenturyLink Arena both with forward A.J. White scoring the game-winner and goaltender Tomas Sholl earning the victory. In fact, there’s only been one goaltender since March 2018 that has posted a shutout not named Sholl: Ryan Faragher on Dec. 14, 2018 at home against Kansas City (3-0 W). The Steelheads now have 70 shutouts since the start of the 2007-08 season and 33rd at home in that time.

History Made: With his 24-save shutout win last night, goaltender Tomas Sholl stands alone with the most shutout wins in Steelheads history, marking his 11th shutout of his career. The Hermosa Beach, Calif. native surpassed Steve Silverthorn (‘05-’08) for the all-time mark and reached the mark in only 83 games compared to Silverthorn doing so in 116 games also over three seasons. Since being acquired by the Steelheads, Sholl has 11 of the team’s last 12 shutouts since March 2018 and has taken the record book by storm. He currently sits 13 wins behind Silverthorn’s record (68) and sits in the top-three for all categories. Sholl owns a 55-19-8 record with a 2.12 GAA and .928 save pct., sitting third in GAA & save pct. while owning the second-most minutes (4,924) and saves (2,238). The ECHL record is held by Marc Magliarditi at 25 shutouts between 1997 and 2006 with five different teams.

View To A Kill: The Steelheads penalty kill continues to dominate their opposition, extending their perfect streak to seven games and 19-straight attempts. In that time, the Steelheads have allowed two power play attempts or less in five of seven games beginning with their meeting in Utah on January 20, and now the team is perfect in 10 of their last 11 games (31-for-33, 93.9%) with their only power play goal allowed on January 18 against Tulsa. Since December 18, the Steelheads have only allowed five power play goals over their last 21 games, boasting an impressive 65-for-70 (92.9%) conversion rate over that time. That has allowed the Steelheads to climb up 12 spots into fourth place for the ECHL with a 86.7% penalty kill rate, which is the best dating back through the 2007-08 season.

The Long Way Home: The Utah Grizzlies played the midway game of their nine-game road trip in last night’s loss while showing mixed results during their run. The Grizzlies own a 3-2-0 record in their last five games on a trip that has seen stops in Atlanta, Ga.; Greenville, S.C.; Wichita, Kan.; and now Boise, Idaho before a quick stop home ahead of three games between Tulsa, Okla. and Independence, Mo. This is part of an extended road stretch with 12 of 17 games away from Maverik Center from January 28 through March 7, however the Grizzlies will play 15 games in 29 days during February. The Grizzlies play 10 games in 16 days beginning on February 14 to end the month.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads head back on the road to open a two-game weekend against the Toledo Walleye on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5:15 p.m. from Huntington Center. Coverage begins at 4:55 p.m. on 1350 KTIK-AM "The Ticket" as well as 7:00 p.m. on Sparklight Ch. 72 & ECHL.tv.