RIO RANCHO, NM – The Idaho Steelheads (2-0-0-0) defeated the New Mexico Goatheads (0-2-0-0) 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night to remain perfect through two games of the regular season. The Steelheads and Goatheads will finish their three-in-three series tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. MT from Rio Rancho Events Center.
The Steelheads jumped out to an early lead on Saturday night, getting a power play tally just under three minutes into the game from Kale Howarth. After a Dylan Gratton point shot, Howarth tipped the puck by goaltender Hunter Miska for his first goal as a Steelhead to give Idaho a 1-0 edge.
The next goal wouldn’t come until the waning moments of the middle frame, as Angus MacDonell and Jaxon Fuder connected on a give-and-go with MacDonell potting his second goal in as many games to extend Idaho’s advantage to 2-0.
The Goatheads would begin their comeback push in the final frame, however, first on a tally from Jake Chiasson, who deposited a right point shot by goaltender Anson Thornton for a power play tally that brought the Goatheads within one goal 4:29 into the third period.
Under three minutes later, Luka Burzan evened the score, tipping a Derek Daschke point shot by Thornton to bring New Mexico even and grab his first goal of the season.
The Steelheads stole the momentum back shortly after, however, as Liam Malmquist used a sneaky move to get by his defender and put the puck past Miska from the left circle for a power play goal that gave the Steelheads the lead again with nine minutes remaining.
As Idaho tried to hold on until the end, they failed to close things out in regulation, allowing a late tying goal with just one second left from Lynden Breen that forced overtime between the two new rivals.
After a stellar glove stop by Thornton to keep overtime going, Malmquist was back again to end things for sure this time, racing free on a breakaway in the extra period and scoring his second goal of the game to put the exclamation point on a 4-3 Steelheads win.
Idaho’s Thornton stopped 33 of 36 shots in the win, while Miska turned aside 32 of 36 shots he faced in the loss.
ICCU Three Stars
- Liam Malmquist, IDH (2-0-2, +1, 6 shots)
- Kale Howarth, IDH (1-0-1, 0, 3 shots
- Lynden Breen, NM (1-0-1, 0, 5 shots)
The Idaho Steelheads finish their season-opening series against New Mexico on Sunday October 18 and will host the Allen Americans on October 23rd for their home opener. Call the Steelheads Front Office at 208-383-0080 for Steelheads ticket packages for the upcoming season. Stay up to date with all things Steelheads on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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