Steelheads lose 5-2 in Wheeling

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WHEELING, WV – The Idaho Steelheads (7-2-0-0, 14pts) saw their win streak come to a close at seven games as Wheeling Nailers (4-2-0-0, 8pts) scored five unanswered goals in the second period for a 5-2 win Saturday night at the WesBanco Arena in front of a crowd of 1,817 fans. Idaho and Wheeling wrap up the three-in-three weekend tomorrow at 2:10 p.m. (MT).

MARK RASSELL SETS STEELHEADS FRANCHISE RECORD FOR LONGEST GOAL STREAK IN SATURDAY NIGHT LOSS

Idaho led 1-0 after the first period as A.J. White from behind the net set up Keaton Mastrodonato (4th) in the right circle at 8:10. The rookie forward sent a snapshot through the five hole of Michael McNiven. Shots were 10-6 Steelheads.

Mark Rassell (10th) sets a Steelheads franchise record scoring in his eighth straight game 76 seconds into the second period when he went in on a partial breakaway through the left circle and beat McNiven near side giving Idaho a 2-0 lead. From that point on the Nailers rattled off five unanswered goals to capture a 5-2 lead. Jordan Frasca (4th) started it off six minutes after Rassell’s goal and then Tanner Laderoute (1st) at 10:25 tied the game at 2-2. Matthew Quercia (1st) gave Wheeling their first lead 52 seconds later. Justin Addamo (5th) increased the Wheeling lead to 4-2 at 13:10 and then a power-play goal from Laderoute (2nd) at 14:54 made it 5-2. The Steelheads were outshot 16-8 in the frame.

Rassell was awarded a penalty shot 1:55 into the third period but was denied by McNiven. Their were 10 penalty infractions called in the final period as neither team scored on the power-play with Idaho outshooting Wheeling 18-13 in the frame.

BOX SCORE

ICCU Three Stars

  1. Wade Murphy (1-1-2, +3, 4 shots)
  2. Seamus Donohue (1-1-2)
  3. Justin Addamo (WHL)

GAME NOTES

  • Idaho finished 0-for-4 on the power-play while Wheeling was 1-for-6.
  • Idaho outshot Wheeling 36-35.
  • Idaho is 5-3-0 all-time vs. Wheeling and 3-2-0 at the WesBanco Arena.
  • Willie Knierim (DNP), Demetrios Koumontzis (IR), Jade Miller (IR), and Aaron Aragon (DNP) did not dress for Idaho.
  • Mark Rassell scored for his eighth straight game setting a franchise record for the longest consecutive goal streak. It’s the longest goal streak in the ECHL since the 2015-16 season.
  • Wade Murphy increased his point streak to six games with an assist (5-6-11).
  • A.J. White tallied an assist.
  • Rassell led all Steelheads skaters with five shots on net.