FRISCO, TX - The Idaho Steelheads (3-2-1-0) fell to the Allen Americans (3-2-0-0) 3-2 on Thursday morning to begin their two-game set in Texas. The two teams will finish off their set Friday night at Comerica Center with puck drop set for 7:10 p.m CT.
A tight-checking first period saw both teams fail to capitalize on their early scoring opportunities, with the game still scoreless late into the opening frame.
Finally, however, with just 3:26 left in the period, Kale Howarth grabbed a loose puck at the side of the crease and jammed it by goaltender Jesper Vikman to put the Steelheads in front after 20 minutes.
In a very similar second period, it would once again be a late-period goal that broke the ice, as Lee Lapid struck on the power play to give the Steelheads a 2-0 edge in the final three minutes of the frame.
This time, though, Allen responded, as less than one minute later Mathieu De St. Phalle netted his third goal of the season on a rebound in the right circle to bring the Americans within one goal after two periods.
The lead would completely be wiped away to start the third, as an Andre Anania point shot was deflected in by Riley Kidney just 24 seconds into the frame to deliver the Americans the equalizer right away in the period.
The Steelheads were on their heels in the third period after that, being outshot 17-4 in the stanza and taking three penalties along the way. The last, an elbowing minor penalty on Ty Pelton-Byce, gave the Americans the opportunity to net a late game-winner, which they did.
Miko Matikka and Sam Lipkin jammed away at a loose puck in the crease late in regulation, with Matikka credited for what went down as the game-winner with just 23 seconds left to lift Allen to a 3-2 win.
Topias Leinonen stopped 36 of 39 shots in the loss, while Vikman saved 25 out of 27 shots for Allen in the win.
ICCU Three Stars
- Sam Lipkin, ALN (0-1-1, +1, 3 shots)
- Jesper Vikman, ALN (25 saves, win)
- Topias Leinonen, IDH (36 saves, loss)
The Idaho Steelheads finish off their two-game set with the Allen Americans on Friday, October 30th with puck drop set for 7:10 p.m. CT. Call the Steelheads Front Office at 208-383-0080 for Steelheads ticket packages for this season. Stay up to date with all things Steelheads on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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