BOISE, ID - The Idaho Steelheads (3-1-1-0) fell to the Allen Americans (2-1-0-0) 5-2 on Saturday night to wrap up their weekend series with the Americans. The Steelheads will face the Americans again in Texas on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. MT from Frisco’s Comerica Center.
The physicality started early in the second matchup of the weekend, as Jaxon Fuder and Cal Uens dropped the gloves for a lengthy battle early in the opening frame. Building on that energy, the Americans grabbed the first of the night seven minutes into the game, as Noel Nordh struck moments after an Americans power play to deliver the icebreaker for Allen.
The Steelheads answered later in the frame with a power play goal from Kale Howarth after a netmouth scramble, evening the score 1-1 just three minutes later.
The Americans would get the last laugh in the period, however, as Sam Lipkin and Mathiue De St. Phalle scored just under four minutes apart later in the frame to grow the Allen lead to 3-1 at the end of the opening 20 minutes.
The Americans added to their lead early in the 2nd period, as Zackary Shantz netted a shorthanded tally moments after the Steelheads hit the post at the other end seeking to get within two, but instead Allen claimed a 4-1 advantage.
Idaho then responded with a goal from Nick Portz, who tipped in a Nick Young point shot by goaltender Jesper Vikman to bring Idaho back within two just over two minutes after Shantz struck to start the period.
The comeback fizzled out for the Steelheads in the period though, as Luke Mistelbacher then found a 2 on 1 opportunity in the following minutes, re-establishing a three-goal lead for the Americans.
Idaho’s uphill battle got tougher late in the frame, as Charlie Dodero took a match penalty for roughing on Mistelbacher that left the Steelheads with five defensemen the rest of the way.
While the Steelheads survived the major penalty, they couldn’t muster another goal the rest of the way, falling 5-2 at the final buzzer in the series finale.
Topias Leinonen stopped 34 of 39 shots in the loss, while Vikman saved 32 out of 34 shots for Allen in the win.
ICCU Three Stars
- Noel Nordh, ALN (1-1-2, +3, 2 shots)
- Sam Lipkin, ALN (1-1-2, +3, 1 shot)
- Mathieu De St. Phalle, ALN (1-1-2, +3, 5 shots)
The Idaho Steelheads visit the Allen Americans on Thursday, October 29th to begin a two-game set in Texas. 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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