The Idaho Steelheads are back in the playoffs this year which is nothing new for them. The Steelheads have never missed the playoffs in 13 ECHL season. The Steelheads finished the regular season in second place in the west division and fifth in the western conference. They will face off against the defending ECHL Champions the Allen Americans.
“Any time you get to face the former champs especially this early we’re excited about it and we’re excited about the challenge and will be ready to go Thursday night,” said, head coach Neil Graham.
“Hopefully, we can take advantage of the games down there and close it out up here.” Said, forward Rob Linsmayer.
The American finished fourth in the conference and this will be they're first ever playoff meeting with the Steelheads. This season they split their four meetings with both squads winning one game in the other teams building beyond regulation, that adds up to a dogfight of a series.
“You grind and you battle to get to this point and get ready for playoffs to play Allen we were 2-1-1 against them in the regular season and played them hard.” Said, Graham.
“We’re not too focused on what happened last year, we played them a few times this year and we faired pretty well.” Said, Linsmayer.
With playoff beginning the beards are coming out and for this team there is just one rule.
“Don’t shave, it's as simple as that.” Said, Linsmayer
“I've been keeping the beard the whole season i'll keep it going hopefully i get it way bigger than that.” Said defense, Shawn Boutin.
“I usually grow mine out anyways during the year and i just keep it a little longer.” Said, forward Carson McMillan.
The Steelheads have won game 1 of their last three playoff series so we can only hope that continues on Thursday night. Experience is also on the Steelheads side with 12 players on their roster with pro playoff experience, totaling 164 games. The puck is scheduled to drop around 6:00 p.m. this Thursday in Texas.
