Playoff Game Round 1 Results: 3-0 Jr Steelheads

The playoffs are upon us, hair has been treated with copious amounts of peroxide, and the battle for the Thorne Cup has commenced in McCall, Idaho against the Jr. Steelheads. Well unfortunately the boys did not get the ball rolling as they had hoped and are down 1 game. After losing a crucial game 1, the Zoo Town boys have to be on their absolute tip top, best game tomorrow if they want to force a third game and try to knock the 3 time defending Thorne Cup champions out of the post season. I know deep down they have the skills to accomplish this task but it's whether or not they are up to the challenge of playing harder than they ever have this season. First of all, the defenseman HAVE to play mean, they have to play aggressive, and they have to play the grittiest hockey of their career. The Jr. Steelheads are known as having probably the top driving forwards in the league and they will bowl over anyone, and I mean anyone, to get the biscuit into the back of the net. Next off the forwards have to maintain puck control if they ever want a shot on Idaho's goalie because this game is not only mentally it's how much skill you have. I know these boys and I know their individual talents and right now it's time to bring them out. The coaches, in my opinion, need to have extremely strong and brutal defenseman on the blue line at all times for example Austin Azzinnaro, Henrik Ekestahl, and Joseph Porco. They need to bring out their most skilled forwards who will play gritty and push through the lines of the Steelheads and zero in on the net like Corey Schafer, Joey Sundgren, and Erich Jaeger. And last of all the goaltenders. You need someone who can flourish under pressure, keep calm, and maintain a 100% solid game. That my friends would be Sebastian Gronborg. Mcdaniel and Janzen are great goaltenders don't get me wrong but Gronborg thrives under pressures. I have loved working with this team but I am going to say this right here and now, if we don't see a game change tomorrow it could be all over. I don't meant to criticize the coaches' decisions but, in my opinion, if they don't pin Idaho's weaknesses on them I have no idea what they are thinking. I have complete faith in the boys all they need to do is step up to the plate and roll with the punches. Get mean and get nasty because once the season ended it's Eat or Be Eaten; Survival of the Fittest. Best of luck boys I believe in you. Go for Glory!

There were no goals scored in the first period.

Swedish Steelhead Victor Carlsson started the scoring game off by lighting the net at 10:55 in the second period on a power play goal with an assist for Dak Dice.

Macky Power, with the help of Kyle Williams and Randy Patzner, made it a 2-0 game at 14:42 in the third. Beast player Jesper Jensen made it 3-0 at 17:11 and ended the night in Idaho's favor. He had assists from Victor Carlsson and Ben Hull.

Play your heart out boys like I know you can. Game 2 is at 7:30 pm MST on March 15th.

Statistics:

PENALTIES:

Period 1:

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Kyle TenEyck (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 1:26

Period 2:

Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 10:05

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Bryan Hodges (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 10:05

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Bryan Hodges (Interference) 2 Minutes, 19:18

Period 3:

Missoula Maulers - Henrik Ekestahl (Hooking) 2 Minutes, 0:34

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Victor Carlsson (High Sticking) 2 Minutes, 4:05

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Jesper Jensen (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 9:29

Missoula Maulers - Billy Bigham (Roughing) 2 Minutes, 12:20

Idaho Junior Steelheads - Luc Gensler (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 2 Minutes, 19:58

SHOTS ON GOAL:

Missoula Maulers - 17 total

Idaho Junior Steelheads - 37 total

POWER PLAYS:

Missoula Maulers - 0 for 6

Idaho Junior Steelheads - 1 for 3

GOALTENDERS:

#31 Cody Janzen for Missoula Maulers: 60 Minutes played, 37 shots on goal 34 saves

#1 Sean Healy for Idaho Junior Steelheads: 60 Minutes played, 17 shots on goal 17 saves