BOISE, Idaho – The Steelheads exploded for five goals in the third period and Landon Bow made 20 saves as the Idaho Steelheads (1-2-0) earned their first win of the season in their home opener, an 8-4 win in over the Utah Grizzlies (2-1-0) in front of 4,133 fans at CenturyLink Arena.
Rob Linsmayer tallied a goal and two assists for his first points of the year, and with a three-point night now has 101 points for his professional career. Brandon Anselmini and David Glen each scored their first professional goals.
The Steelheads had their offensive legs going immediately to start the first period. Caleb Herbert netted his first as a Steelhead just 1:19 into the first period when Linsmayer and Jefferson Dahl worked to force a turnover in the Utah zone and fed Herbert between the circles. Just 2:14 later, Travis Ewanyk got his first of the year driving down the right wing and lifting a shot past goaltender Kevin Boyle.
After Tim Daly got the Grizzlies back within one, Joe Faust fired a wrist shot that pin-balled off a Utah leg and in behind Boyle for a 3-1 Idaho lead. Faust had three career pro goals entering the season, but has two already in three games this year.
The Grizzlies would score the next two goals, Brandon McNally at 1:48 of the first and Jordan Samuels-Thomas on a 1-on-1 wrist shot with four minutes left in the second. The teams headed into the third period tied 3-3, but the Steelheads would find success early in the third period.
At 5:14, Kellan Lain took a rebound off the end boards and dunked in the go-ahead goal, after which the Steelheads would not trail. At 14:50, Anselmini’s power play point shot found its way through traffic and past Boyle for a 5-3 lead.
After a Samuels-Thomas goal made it interesting late, the Steelheads put the game away. A Dahl interception in the Utah zone became Linsmayer’s first goal of the season. Kyle Jean scored into an empty net, and Glen added a deflection goal for good measure with three seconds left on the clock.
The victory was the first pro win of Bow’s career.
The eight-goal performance was Idaho’s most goals in a game since December 16 of last year, that game an 8-5 win over the Grizzlies.
The Steelheads and Grizzlies will wrap up their season opening home-and-home series tomorrow night at CenturyLink Arena, with puck-drop scheduled for 7:10pm MT. The game is available on Cable One, ECHLTV and 1350 KTIK.
With Idaho Steelheads release
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