The Idaho Steelheads were one of the biggest headlines in the ECHL from this past week, as they clinched a spot in the post-season with their victory on Friday night over the Victoria Salmon Kings. They can secure top seed in the National Conference playoffs tonight (Tuesday) with a single point out of their game with the Utah Grizzlies.
In addition to sewing up their post-season spot, Idaho has been on a bit of a tear. The team has won eight of their last nine games, and has rattled off five consecutive wins, including last week’s three-game sweep of the Salmon Kings in Victoria.
The Steelheads opened the series last Wednesday with a 5-2 victory. Team scoring leader Mark Derlago keyed the win on offense with a hat trick. Goaltender Rejean Beauchemin settled down after allowing two goals in the opening period, and had 19 saves in the game while keeping Victoria off the scoreboard in the 2nd and 3rd periods.
Stars’ prospect Richard Bachman played in the 7-1 trouncing the Steelies gave the Salmon Kings on Friday night, stopping 22 of 23 shots. Idaho once again had a hat trick, this time by Mark McCutcheon. The game’s top star was given to Steelhead Tyler Spurgeon, who had a pair of goals and a helper.
In other Stars’ prospect news for the Victora series, Michael Neal played in the opening game and was a minus 1. He was not in the lineup for the second and third games. Defenseman Guillaume Monast played in all three games, and finished the series with an assist and a plus 5 rating.
Last Week’s Transactions:
3/8/10 Cody Lampl, D – placed on the 21-day IR
3/15/10 Ashton Rome, F – activated off IR
3/16/10 Doug Melvin, G – added as emergency backup goaltender
