BOISE, ID – The Idaho Steelheads (3-0-1-0) fell to the Allen Americans (1-1-0-0) 4-3 in overtime on Friday night to drop their home opener. The Steelheads and Americans will finish their two-game set tomorrow at 7:10 p.m. MT from Idaho Central Arena.
After fending off an early Allen push, the Steelheads grabbed the game’s first goal as Jaxon Fuder came down the left wing and blasted the puck by Jesper Vikman for a 1-0 Idaho edge just under 15 minutes into the first period.
Late in the first period, the Americans answered back on a rebound goal by Michael Gildon, who evened the score with just 57 seconds left in the opening frame.
Seven minutes into the second period, Riley Kidney notched the go-ahead goal for the Americans on another net-mouth scramble, tucking the puck past Jake Barczewski for a 2-1 Allen lead.
Shortly after, Barczewski was injured on a net-front drive by Miko Matikka, who lost an edge and collided with the Steelheads goaltender, taking him out of the game. Topias Leinonen stepped in to replace Barcewski.
Idaho would soon tie the game again, as Liam Malmquist fed Lee Lapid for his first goal in a Steelheads uniform 15:39 into the middle frame for a 2-2 tie.
In the final period, Dylan Gratton scored his first as a Steelhead halfway into the period, striking from the right circle on a one-time blast to put Idaho ahead 3-2. Then, just 37 seconds later, Kidney scored again on a bounce off Jeff Baum’s leg to nab his second goal of the night and even things back up right away.
After no score the rest of regulation, the game went into overtime.
In the first minute of the extra frame, Kidney completed his hat trick, tucking the puck under the crossbar by Leinonen for his third goal and the OT winner just 43 seconds into overtime.
Barczewski stopped 15 of 17 shots before his injury, while Leinonen turned aside 20 of 22 shots in relief. Jesper Vikman stopped 26 of 29 shots in the win for Allen.
ICCU Three Stars
- Riley Kidney, ALN (3-0-3, +3, 4 shots)
- Michael Gildon, ALN (1-1-2, +1, 4 shots)
- Dylan Gratton, IDH (1-0-1, +2, 1 shot)
The Idaho Steelheads host the Allen Americans tomorrow on October 24th for the series finale. 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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