Connor Maceachern scores hat-trick in 6-2 win

November 29, 2024 – ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads press release

BOISE, ID – The Idaho Steelheads (9-7-1-0, 19 points) defeated the Tahoe Knight Monsters (8-5-1-2, 18 points) by a final score of 6-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 5,235 on Friday night Fans at Idaho Central Arena, the ninth sellout in nine home games this season and the 42nd straight sellout of the regular season. Idaho and Tahoe will complete the three-game series tomorrow night at 7:10 p.m

Nate Kallen gave the Knight Monsters the lead with just 1:12 left in the first period, but 19 seconds later Connor MacEachern (7th) equalized when the score was 1-1 after the first 20 minutes of play. Ty Pelton-Byce sent a rebound wide to the backboard, where AJ White collected the puck behind the net and fed it to MacEachern in the left circle. Each team went 0-1 on the power play, while the Steelheads defeated the Knight Monsters 12-8.

The Steelheads asserted themselves offensively in the second period and took a 5-1 lead in the final frame. Just 46 seconds into the period, MacEachern (8) gave Idaho its first lead of the game when Pelton-Byce sent him from the left half wall into the right circle for a one-timer. Lynden McCallum (7) extended the lead to 3-1 at 10:34, scoring a two-on-one with a wrist shot from the right circle. With 2:57 minutes left, Brendan Hoffmann (6th) sank a one-timer in the high slot after a setup by Matt Register. Six seconds later the Steelheads found themselves outnumbered, but 16 seconds after Hoffmann’s first goal, Hoffmann (7th) managed a breakaway from White and the score was 5-1. Shots were 15-9 steelhead.

Simon Pinard reduced the Tahoe deficit to 5-2 after just 4:39 minutes in the third period. Idaho started its third power play of the night at 10:11 and after MacEachern (9th) failed to convert, he capped the hat trick five seconds after the man advantage ended with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle to the top left corner for the 6th :2 victory to complete.

Tomas Sholl made 26 saves on 28 shots in the win, while Jesper Vikman made 35 saves on 41 shots in the loss.

BOX score

ICCU Three stars

1) Connor MacEachern (IDH, 3-0-3, +2, 6 shots)

2) Brendan Hoffmann (IDH, 2-0-2, +3, 8 shots)

3) Tomas Sholl (IDH, 26 saves)

GAME NOTES

Idaho went 0-for-3 on the power play while Tahoe went 0-4.

Tahoe defeated Idaho 31-27.

Blake Swetlikoff (DNP), Romain Rodzinski (DNP) and Slava Demin (INJ) did not dress for Idaho.

Brendan Hoffmann’s two goals, 16 seconds apart, are the fastest two goals the Steelheads have scored this season.

Idaho reached 40 shots for the fourth time this season and recorded its third four-goal period, its second against Tahoe.

Connor MacEachern recorded his first professional hat trick, Idaho’s first of the season.

AJ White extended his point streak to four games with his second three-assist game of the season.

Brendan Hoffmann extended his point streak to four games by leading all field players with eight shots in his second multi-goal game of the season.

Ty Pelton-Byce extended his point streak to four games with an assist.

CJ Walker extended his point streak to three games with an assist.

Patrick Kudla and Matt Register each had two assists.

Mark Olver recorded an assist for his second straight contest.

Stay up to date on all things steelhead on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Watch all Steelheads home games on FloHockey and KTVB 24/7 (Channel 7.2) and listen to “The Ticket” on Steelheads flagship station 95.3 FM KTIK.

• Discuss this story in the ECHL Forum…

The opinions expressed in this press release are those of the organization that issued it and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its employees.