The Idaho Steelheads dropped two of three games at home against the Wichita Thunder last week but still remained in first place in the Mountain Division of the ECHL.

The Steelheads (35-21-5) now embark on a five-game road trip with the first two of three meetings in Orlando being non-conference.

Here now is a recap of last weeks scores and statistic from the Idaho Steelheads:


LAST WEEK…

Wednesday, March 6 vs. Wichita Thunder: 4-1 W
Shots: Thunder 34, Steelheads 24
PP: Thunder 1-for-4, Steelheads 1-for-4

The Steelheads opened the weekend with a 4-1 win from CenturyLink Arena. Forward Kyle Schempp (9:11 1st; 9:05 2nd) opened the game with the first two goals at nearly the same time in each of the first two periods for a 2-0 lead. Defenseman Nolan Gluchowski (PP, 12:28 2nd) added to the lead before the Thunder cut back into the lead, 3-1. Defenseman Charlie Dodero (EN, 19:59 3rd) added an exclamation point to the score in the 4-1 win. Tomas Sholl (21-10-0) saved 33 of 34 shots in the win.

Friday, March 8 vs. Wichita Thunder: 4-2 L
Shots: Thunder 28, Steelheads 36
PP: Thunder 2-for-5, Steelheads 1-for-5

The Steelheads were held off by late power plays in a 4-2 loss from CenturyLink Arena. The Thunder jumped out with the first two goals on the night to quickly take a 2-0 lead. The Steelheads responded the next frame from defenseman Nolan Gluchowski (PP, 8:46 2nd) followed by forward Spencer Naas (11:30 2nd) a few minutes later, tying the game at 2-2. However, the Thunder earned two more late goals, sealing the 4-2 result. Colton Point stopped three of five shots in 11:12 minutes, and Ryan Faragher (7-6-2) stopped 21 of 22 shots in 47:08 minutes of relief.

Saturday, March 9 vs. Wichita Thunder: 6-5 L (OT)
Shots: Thunder 26, Steelheads 49
PP: Thunder 0-for-1, Steelheads 0-for-3

The Steelheads erased a four-goal deficit to earn one point in a 6-5 overtime loss from CenturyLink Arena. Defenseman Nolan Gluchowski (11:41 1st) opened the scoring to take a 1-0 lead before the Thunder scored five-unanswered goals through the middle of the second period, vaulting to a 5-1 lead. Forwards Elgin Pearce (18:21 2nd) and Mitch Moroz (19:58 2nd) started the comeback push by the end of the second period to cut back, 5-3. Pearce (5:13 3rd) and forward Spencer Naas (10:55 3rd) completed the comeback to force overtime at 5-5 before the Thunder scored on a penalty shot for the 6-5 result. Ryan Faragher stopped 12 of 17 shots in 36:29 minutes, and Colton Point (5-2-2) halted eight of nine shots in 25:44 minutes of relief.

THIS WEEK…

Saturday, March 16 @ Orlando Solar Bears – 5:00 p.m. MT
Sunday, March 17 @ Orlando Solar Bears – 3:30 p.m. MT

The Steelheads open a five-game road trip and play the first two sections of a three-game series against the Orlando Solar Bears from Amway Center and RDV Sportsplex. This will be just the second time in franchise history that the Steelheads and Solar Bears meet with their only other occurrence coming on Nov. 12, 2015 at Amway Center in a 5-4 loss to the Solar Bears. This season, the Steelheads have played only two games against Eastern Conference opponents, winning back-to-back games against the Jacksonville Icemen on November 30 and December 1.

STEEL STATS…

Quick Bites:

- Elgin Pearce helped lead the Steelheads back in Saturday’s game while continuing his point stretch. He now has points in six of his last eight games (3-6—9) and eight of 11 contests (5-6—11).

- The line of Mitch Moroz, Elgin Pearce, and Kyle Schempp was the most productive over the weekend, posting 10 of 16 points (62.5%) recorded by forwards. All three led the Steelheads in scoring with three points or more on the week.

- The Steelheads came back from a four-goal deficit for the first time this season to earn one point in an overtime loss on Saturday. Previously, the team’s highest comeback total this season was two goals, happening multiple times.

Team Leaders:
GOALS:                       21 – Steve McParland
ASSISTS:                     31 – A.J. White
POINTS:                      47 –Steve McParland
PP GOALS:                  9 – Reid Petryk
SH GOALS:                 2 – Steve McParland/Kyle Schempp
GW GOALS:               5 – Brad McClure/Reid Petryk
PIMS:                           279 – Kale Kessy
PLUS/MINUS:             +27 – Keegan Kanzig
SHOTS:                       207 – Steve McParland
WINS:                          21 – Tomas Sholl
GAA:                           2.18 – Tomas Sholl
SAVE %:                     .930 – Tomas Sholl

Mountain Division Standings:
1. Steelheads               35-21-3-2, 75 pts

2. Tulsa                        34-21-4-2, 74 pts
3. Utah                         32-20-4-4, 72 pts
4. Kansas City             31-23-3-2, 67 pts
5. Rapid City               25-29-5-3, 58 pts
6. Wichita                    24-28-6-3, 57 pts
7. Allen                        22-36-4-2, 50 pts


The Steelheads head south to open a three-game series with the Orlando Solar Bears on Saturday, Mar. 16 at 5:00 p.m. MT from Amway Center and return to CenturyLink Arena on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 7:10 p.m. against the Rapid City Rush.

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