IDAHO STEELHEADS (21-16-1) VS. KANSAS CITY MAVERICKS (18-19-1)

FRIDAY, JAN. 28, 2022 | 7:10 P.M. MTIDAHO CENTRAL ARENA | BOISE, IDTICKETS: SOLD OUTTV: SPARKLIGHT CH. 72RADIO: 95.3FM/1350AM KTIK | STREAM: FLOHOCKEY

Tonight’s Game: The Steelheads continue their four-game homestand against the Kansas City Mavericks from Idaho Central Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads have earned points in all three games of the eight-game season set thanks to Wednesday’s home victory, moving the team’s record to 2-0-1 this season over the Mavericks. The Steelheads have yet to drop a game in regulation over the last two seasons, boasting a 6-0-2 record while winning four-straight games in Boise. The Steelheads have now won 14 of their 20 meetings with the Mavericks, hosting a 14-4-2 record as well as going 10-1-0 at Idaho Central Arena.

Last Game: The Steelheads’ scoring started early and swiftly with two tallies separated by just 40 seconds starting with forward Mason Mitchell (3:04 1st) on an open net followed by a wrap-around by Shawn McBride (3:44 1st) to stretch to an early 2-0 lead. The two sides see-sawed the next five goals with Kansas City power play tallies separating second period strikes by forward A.J. White (PP, 4:22 2nd) on a rebound put back as well as an unassisted tally from Mitchell (11:55 2nd) and a one-time blast from forward Colton Kehler (16:22 2nd) to spread the lead to 5-3. That tally started a five-unanswered run that was continued by forward Yauheni Aksiantsiuk (17:49 2nd) on a breakaway, the second for Kehler (PP, 2:48 3rd), another goal for Aksiantsiuk (11:08 3rd), and the first professional goal for Willie Knierim (16:43 3rd). Despite a late Mavericks goal, the Steelheads strolled to the 9-4 result.

Nine Alive: The Steelheads posted their best offensive night of the season with nine goals to open the weekend. The Steelheads tied or eclipsed two different scoring marks for the season in the same game: the nine total goals passes the previous high of seven tallies, and four goals in the second period matches a season-high for most in a single period, both of which coming since Opening Night on October 22 against Utah (7-3 W). Additionally, the nine goals scored is the most since the Steelheads also scored nine against Rapid City on Dec. 28, 2018 in a 9-1 road win, and it’s the most home goals since a nine-goal night on Jan. 27, 2006 against the Las Vegas Wranglers (9-5 W). The Steelheads have scored eight goals or more at home now 12 times in the ECHL era with the most recent on Oct. 21, 2016 against Utah (8-4 W). The most goals scored in a game in the ECHL era came at home on Feb. 18, 2005 against the Victoria Salmon Kings in a 12-3 victory.

Everybody Points!: The Steelheads offense was running on all cylinders not just on the scoresheet but also for spreading out the offensive production. 12 of the team’s 16 skaters earned points in Wednesday’s win, marking the most points spread throughout the lineup. In Wednesday’s game, the Steelheads had three different multi-goal scores with six different players lighting the lamp, eight of their 12 point recorders tallying multi-point games, and of the six goal-scorers five of them recorded multi-point games. The 24 total points earned by Steelheads skaters moves past their 21-point effort on Opening Night against Utah.

All About Specials: The Steelheads’ and Mavericks’ power play units were on point in Wednesday’s contest with a season-best six-combined goals out of the 13 scored between both teams. For the Steelheads, it’s only the second-highest power play goal total of the season and trails their four-goal night to open the season on October 22 (4-for-11, 36.4%) but the 3-for-6 night is the best ratio (3-for-6, 50.0%) of the two while only contributing as the fifth mutli-power play goal game of the year. On the flip slide, the Mavericks’ power play pushed the Steelheads to their highest goal-against mark on the penalty kill of the year (4-for-7, 57.1%) and continues a power play goal allowed streak to extend to three games at home, going just 4-for-10 (40.0%) in that time. The Steelheads now sit fourth on the power play (22.9%) and jumped a full percentage point while the penalty kill slid to ninth in the league (82.9%).

Gino-Myte: Steelheads forward Yauheni Aksiantsiuk has been a frequent flyer for goals and bunches, adding another pair in Wednesday’s win. The Brest, Belarus native now has three multi-goal games over his last six contests, and it’s also the fourth multi-point game in that same span, boasting a team-best 10 points (6-4–10) since January 15. The four-point night for Aksiantsiuk equals the best night individually for a Steelheads player this season, joining the pair of four-point nights for Luc Brown (1-3–4) and A.J. White (0-4–4) earlier this month on January 7 at home against Utah (6-3 W). Aksiantsiuk leads the Steelheads in goals (16) and sits third in scoring (27) through 24 games.

2021-22 MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads and Mavericks close their three-game weekend on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7:10 p.m. from Idaho Central Arena. Tickets are available by going to idahosteelheads.com or calling 208-331-TIXS. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 95.3FM/1350AM "The Ticket" as well as 7:00 p.m. on Sparklight Ch. 72 & FloHockey.