RIO RANCHO, NM – The Idaho Steelheads (3-0-0-0) defeated the New Mexico Goatheads (0-2-1-0) 5-2 on Sunday afternoon to complete a sweep of the New Mexico Goatheads to begin the regular season. The Steelheads are back in Boise next Friday to host the Allen Americans for their home opener at 7:00 p.m. MT at Idaho Central Arena.

After a slow start to the game, action picked up through the middle of the first period, and in the high-flying minutes early on a scary situation saw Goatheads defenseman Hank Kempf cut by an errant skate blade of Kale Howarth during a collision in the crease. Kempf skated off the ice under his own power despite suffering the cut to his head/neck area.

As action then continued, the Goatheads would strike first for the first time this weekend, as a turnover by the Steelheads in their own zone led to a quick strike just in front of the net from Lynden Breen who grabbed his second goal of the season to break the ice 13:29 into the contest.

After carrying their 1-0 lead into the middle frame, New Mexico watched it vanish over the latter part of the period. First, Ty Pelton-Byce collected a perfect pass from Liam Malmquist in the right circle to deposit a one-time power play goal 11:15 into the frame for the equalizer. Then, with under two minutes to go in the period, Nick Young found Mason Nevers in the left circle for a one-time blast of his own to put the Steelheads ahead 2-1 heading into the third period.

After a stagnant start to the final frame, the chaos kicked off for the series finale later in the third period. First, a Goatheads turnover led to a clean shorthanded breakaway for Jade Miller, who scored Idaho’s first shorthanded goal of the season and gave the Steelheads a two-goal edge 11:50 into the period.

Under two minutes later, the Goatheads responded, grabbing a tally from Cameron Buhl who scored his second of the season to draw New Mexico back within one goal in the final stages.

Not to be outdone, the Steelheads responded just 12 seconds later, as Nevers found Jaxon Fuder in the slot for a wrist shot tally to silence the New Mexico crowd. 

In the final moments, Idaho sealed the victory with an empty net goal by Miller for his second of the game to complete the series sweep and give Idaho a 5-2 win.

Idaho goaltender Jake Barczewski stopped 30 of 32 shots in the win, while New Mexico’s Isaiah Saville turned away 23 of 27 shots in the loss.

ICCU Three Stars

1. Jade Miller, IDH (2-0-2, +2, 2 shots)
2. Jake Barczewski, IDH (30 saves, Win)
3. Mason Nevers, IDH (1-1-2, +1, 4 shots)

The Idaho Steelheads host the Allen Americans on October 23^rd 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.