RIO RANCHO, NM – The Idaho Steelheads (1-0-0-0) defeated the New Mexico Goatheads (0-1-0-0) 4-1 on Friday night to begin the 2026-27 regular season. The Steelheads and Goatheads will continue their three-in-three series tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. MT from Rio Rancho Events Center.
After no scoring for much of the opening frame, Idaho broke ice just over 15 minutes into the game on a goal by Angus MacDonell. Just after a Steelheads power play expired, MacDonell tipped in a Jeff Baum point shot to give Idaho their first goal of the season and a 1-0 edge.
That advantage would double early in the middle frame, with Liam Malmquist notching a power play goal on an excellent feed from Ty Pelton-Byce just 3:21 into the second period. Then, just 1:07 later, Jaxon Fuder scored his first ECHL goal on a wrist shot from the left circle to give Idaho a three-goal edge in the first five minutes of the period.
After holding steady into the third, the Goatheads finally struck early in the frame, getting their franchise’s first goal on a sharp-angle shot from Cameron Buhl to bring New Mexico within two.
Despite a late Goatheads push, the Steelheads stood tall, picking up an empty net goal with just seven seconds left from Mason Nevers to finish off their solid season opener with a 4-1 win.
The Steelheads' power play finished the game 2/5 while the Goatheads finished the game 1/5 on the man advantage.
Idaho’s Jake Barczewski stopped 24 of 25 shots in the win, while New Mexico’s Isaiah Saville turned aside 31 of 34 shots in the loss.
ICCU Three Stars
- Jake Barczewski, IDH (25 saves, Win)
- Jaxon Fuder, IDH (First ECHL goal, 1-0-1, +1, 4 shots)
- Mason Nevers, IDH (1-1-2, +1, 4 shots)
The Idaho Steelheads continue their season-opening series against New Mexico on Saturday, October 17, 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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