IDAHO STEELHEADS (26-17-3) VS. TULSA OILERS (24-18-2)

SATURDAY, FEB 12, 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 complete their three-game weekend and the season series with the Tulsa Oilers from Idaho Central Arena.

Head-To-Head: The Steelheads and Oilers head into the final game of the season series following their first post-regulation meeting, and the Oilers have garnered the one-point and one-win edge through the first five games. The Steelheads can take the season series with a win in regulation and force a draw with a victory in post-regulation play. The Steelheads have only taken four games over the last two seasons against the Oilers with two in each set, but the Steelheads own a 19-14-3 record overall against the Oilers as well as 8-6-2 at Idaho Central Arena.

Last Night: The Steelheads Oilers tussled for the first 20 minutes in a grind of a game, but the Oilers struck in the second period as they advanced their agenda and capitalized on a turnover on the power play to edge ahead, 1-0. The strong play by goaltender Colton Point held the Steelheads in long enough to turn the corner in the third period and take the pressure to the Oilers. After a goal was disallowed on a controversial offside call late in the game, the Steelheads found a late power play and won their gamble by pulling Point and scoring on a shot from forward Mason Mitchell (PP EA, 18:05 3rd) to force overtime, 1-1. An unfortunate bounce and tip led to an odd tally for the Oilers as they earned the extra point in the 2-1 overtime result.

Great Eight: Despite the loss and the home win streak ending at seven games, the Steelheads still extended their unbeaten streak at home to eight-straight games with the overtime result. The Steelheads have earned a 7-0-1 record since beginning their run on January 6 while holding opponents to two goals or loess in five-straight home contests, outscoring the opposition 32-17 and averaging exactly four goals scored per game in that stint. The power play has also remained strong with goals in six of eight contests (10-for-28, 35.7%) and three of those coming as multi-power play goal efforts. The Steelheads own an 18-5-1-0 record at Idaho Central Arena this season, still sitting tied for the most home wins in the ECHL as well as trailing only the Reading Royals (.843) in home win percentage (.771).

Building Momentum: Though the Steelheads have dropped back-to-back overtime results for the first time this season, the team is on a great scoring run to secure their spot in the Mountain Division. The Steelheads have points in eight of his last nine games, boasting a 6-1-2 record in that time and includes their current home point-scoring run in six of those eight games. This is the team’s best nine-game stretch of the season, leaping over their run to finish the pre-holiday break with points in seven of nine games from December 3-19 but was part of a larger nine-of-11 point-scoring run beginning on November 24 and ending on the same date. The Steelheads have a five-point lead in the Mountain Division for second place and only trail the Utah Grizzlies by four points for the top spot.

Foundation Layer: Steelheads forward Mason Mitchell netted the only tally in last night’s overtime loss, but his strike was crucial in earning that point. It’s the second-straight week in which his third-period goal forced overtime as the tying tally, joining his goal last Saturday in Wichita with 2:45 remaining. While it was only his second goal over his last six games, the Calgary, Alb. native has been a strong addition to the lineup since his acquisition on January 5 from Cincinnati, boasting five goals and nine points over 12 games starting on January 21 and now sitting one point fewer than his 10 points in 17 games with the Cyclones.

Mr. Consistent: Steelheads forward Chase Zieky has evolved as one of the most consistent point-scorers on the team as of late, landing the primary assist in last night’s contest. The native of Avon, Conn. broke his four-game point streak on Wednesday but picked up production on Friday for points in five of six games in February with two goals and three assists. Since January 22, Zieky has earned points in seven of those 10 games, and three of his four assists on the season have all come during that stretch and, more recently, in three of his last four point-scoring games. The rookie has awoken in the second half of the season and elevated his production to 14 points (10-4–14) in 27 games.

Super Happ-owy: Oilers forward Dylan Sadowy has been on a mission this season and converted for the team’s lone regulation goal on Friday. The Woodbridge, Ont. native has points in eight of his last nine games after dropping his seven-game point streak on Wednesday, tallying 12 points (5-7–12) since January 27 and rolling his way to the team lead in all three scoring categories (23-21–44). He is having a career season, sitting two points under his career-best of 46 points also set in 43 games with the Toledo Walleye in the 2018-19 campaign with the only difference being two-fewer assists. Sadowy leads the ECHL in goals scored (23) and sits tied for third in points (44).

2021-22 MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads conclude the road portion of their season series with the Wichita Thunder on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 6:05 p.m. MT. Coverage begins at 5:45 p.m. on 95.3 The Ticket & FloHockey.