IDAHO STEELHEADS (29-26-3) @ TOLEDO WALLEYE (37-14-3)

SUNDAY, MAR. 13, 2022 | 3:15 P.M. MTHUNTINGTON CENTER | TOLEDO, OHRADIO: 95.3FM/1350AM KTIK | STREAM: FLOHOCKEY

Tonight's Game: The Steelheads finish their three-game, three-day series against the Toledo Walleye from Huntington Center.

Head-To-Head: The Walleye have taken the weekend and season series with a pair of wins heading into tonight’s finale against the Steelheads. The Steelheads split their last meeting against the Walleye during the 2019-20 season, winning their first road meeting in the process, but the Steelheads won all three games in Boise from Jan. 9-12, 2019. The Steelheads own a 4-5-0 record against the Walleye in their franchise series but are 1-5-0 in Toledo. The Steelheads won both road meetings against the Toledo Storm during the 2003-04 campaign.

Last Night: The Walleye hopped out to the early lead and continued their momentum from the previous night, adding an even-strength tally within the first four minutes while following with a power play tally later in the frame. The Steelheads pressed back at the outset of the second period beginning with a tally by defenseman Will Cullen (0:14 2nd) to strike back before a Walleye answer stretched the lead back to two, 3-1. The Steelheads caught fire and ripped two more goals starting with forward Yauheni Aksiantsiuk (6:02 2nd) on a back door play followed up by defenseman Michael Prapavessis (8:48 2nd) on a rebound to tie the game, 3-3. A Steelheads goal that was disallowed minutes later changed the momentum of the game, and the Walleye scored three through the rest of the second period to take a 6-3 lead. The Walleye added one more in a heated third period in the 7-3 result.

Six Holed: The Steelheads took a difficult loss on Saturday that extends the team’s losing skid to six-straight games. The Steelheads’ last win came on February 25 against the Worcester Railers (5-4 OTW) but their last regulation win was on February 12 against Tulsa (5-1 W), and since that regulation win the team has dropped nine of 11 games with both of their wins coming in post-regulation. Since their last extended skid coming out of the holiday break, the Steelheads own a 13-17-2-0 record after going 16-8-0-1 to open the season. There are 14 games remaining in a tight race in the Mountain Division.

Sparking Up: The Steelheads found their offense in the second period, breaking through a difficult stretch to find goals. The three goals for the night marks the second time in the last 11 games that the team netted at least three goals, sharing that with their five-goal night on February 25 against Worcester at home. It’s also the most goals scored in a period since the three-goal third period against Jacksonville in the 3-0 shutout win at home on February 2. However, the Steelheads allowed four goals in that period, marking the second time that’s happened and the first since the third period on February 21 in Kansas City as part of a 5-1 loss. The seven goals allowed is the most for a single game this season.

Will-ing Ahead: Steelheads defenseman Will Cullen continues his impactful addition to the team’s blue line with a two-point night in Saturday’s loss. The Pelham Manor, N.Y. native has three points (2-1–3) in two games since joining the team this weekend and extends his point streak to four-straight games with five points (3-2–5) since February 6 while with Worcester. He is fourth in the ECHL in shooting percentage (23.3%) while sitting third among rookies and leads ECHL defensemen by almost nine percent over Indy’s Cliff Watson (14.8%). Cullen leads Steelheads defensemen in goals and has 15 points (8-7–15) through 22 games with points in six of seven contests (5-4–9).

Coming For Air: The Toledo Walleye offense responded to the Steelheads’ second period burst of scoring by posting seven goals in last night’s result. It’s the second time in the last four games that the Walleye reached that goal total as well as the fifth time this season they have ended the game at seven tallies, which is second-most this season behind their 10-1 win over Iowa in the second game of the season. The Walleye remain one of the most threatening offenses in the ECHL, sitting second in goals per game (3.80) and the only team to breach the 200-goal mark on the season.

Hawkeye Sight: Walleye forward Brandon Hawkins is having himself a weekend, posting a five-point night (2-3–5) following a two-point night on Friday. The Macomb, Mich. product reached five points for the second time this season, sharing that mark with hsi five-assist night on January 5 in Fort Wayne during a 7-2 win as part of an eight-point weekend. His big night vaults him to career-best marks in total scoring with 43 points (20-23–43) through 34 games, overtaking his 39-point season in 37 games last year with Fort Wayne en route to his first Kelly Cup. Hawkins is second on the team in scoring this season while sharing the goal lead with forwards John Albert and T.J. Hensick.

2021-22 MOUNTAIN DIVISION STANDINGS:

Next Game: The Steelheads return to Idaho Central Arena on Friday, Mar. 18 at 7:10 p.m. against the Utah Grizzlies. Tickets are available by going to idahosteelheads.com or calling 208-331-TIXS. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on 95.3 The Ticket as well as 7:00 p.m. on Sparklight Ch. 72 & FloHockey.