SOTI Weekend Preview – Playoff Push
The Steelheads look to punch their ticket to the post-season including four games in six nights.
Indigenous Celebration Game
On March 15, 2023 the Steelheads are hosting their inaugural Indigenous Celebration Game that will include the unveiling of their specialty Indigenous jerseys designed by local Indigenous artist Kory Parkin. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off online, with the proceeds going to the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations. The specialty jerseys can be purchased online through DASH by clicking here.
As March break will be in full force during the week, Steelheads fans have the opportunity to purchase a Family Four Pack! The F4P includes four tickets, four drinks, and four bags of popcorn for just $85 including tax. To purchase tickets click here and on the right-hand side of the screen, select “filters”, select “Family Pack” and ensure 4 tickets are selected.
Additionally, Steelheads faithful have the opportunity to hit the ice at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre for a pre-game skate prior to the game. The skate will take place from 4:00-5:00 PM with limited availability and served on a first-come first-serve basis. With availability being limited, fans are encouraged to arrive on time with their purchased tickets.
Potential Playoff Preview
The busy week starts off with the end of a four game road swing for the Steelheads. The Steelheads head east to Peterborough for what could be a potential first-round playoff preview, as Mississauga is in the midst of a battle for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Puck drop is set for 7:05 PM at Peterborough Memorial Centre.
The Steelheads will look to change the narrative of this season’s matchups against the Petes, as Peterborough has taken the last two meetings.
Looking down at the other end of the ice, the Steelheads will see a familiar face in Owen Beck, who the Steelheads traded to Peterborough in a deal that saw forwards Jack Van Volsen and Justin DeZoete come to the Trout along with numerous draft picks. Beck, a former Steelheads second round pick, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, and made his NHL Debut earlier this season. Beck’s scoring pace has slowed since being acquired by the Petes, recording 17 points (4G, 13A) in 23 games as a Pete.
Putting a spotlight on the two players that the Steelheads received in the trade, Jack Van Volsen and Justin DeZoete have both been important players since their debuts in the Blue and White. Van Volsen has recorded 12 points (3G, 9A) in 25 games for the Trout this season, and has also emerged as a reliable third-line center in his rookie campaign. Justin DeZoete has recorded 7 points (5G, 2A) in 25 games for the Steelheads this season and has also provided great energy and solid penalty killing. These players are expected to be a big part of the Steelheads future.
Clash with the Colts (Another potential playoff matchup)
The Steelheads will travel back home to the Paramount Fine Foods Centre and host the Barrie Colts on Wednesday Night, for a special Indigenous Celebration Game, with puck drop set for 7:00 PM. The Steelheads narrowly lost the last meeting against the Colts, as the Steelheads attempted a comeback and managed to tie the game but ultimately fell short 3-2.
As per usual when facing off against the Colts, the Steelheads have to keep an eye on top ten NHL pick Brandt Clarke, who was dynamite in the previous meeting. The shifty defender tallied 2 points (1G, 1A) in the game on March 4, while also throwing 9 shots on target. Alongside Clarke was Evan Vierling and Ethan Cardwell, who each recorded a goal and an assist. All three players were a game-high +3 and will need to be focused on defensively.
Shedding the spotlight on someone who puts his all into every game, Adam Zidlicky does a great job utilizing his speed and tenacity to shut down the opposition. Since being acquired by the Steelheads in a deal with the Kitchener Rangers, Zidlicky has tallied 9 points (3G, 6A) in 25 appearances, including a short-handed goal in his Mississauga debut against the Barrie Colts. Zidlicky has emerged as a great penalty killing option for Head Coach James Richmond, and does a phenomenal job utilizing his speed to rush the point, deflect pucks and clear the zone.
You can purchase tickets to the game by clicking here.
Below the Border
The Steelheads take on the Erie Otters and look to even the season series in the final meeting of the 2022-23 campaign. The Otters have won the previous two meetings, which were both at the Erie Insurance Arena. The Otters have not visited the Paramount Fine Foods Centre since the 2019-20 season. This time around, the Otters will be the ones doing the traveling, as the Steelheads host Erie at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre for the classic 7:00 PM Friday night matchup.
The Otters currently sit last place in the Western Conference, with a record of 20-36-1-5, however they still have weapons that the Steelheads will have to keep track of. Pano Fimis, acquired by the Otters in a trade with the Niagara IceDogs, has found success since dawning the Erie jersey. In his 23 games with Erie, Fimis has recorded 20 points (7G, 13A) in addition to the 25 points (8G, 17A) he tallied in 28 games with Niagara.
In terms of the Blue and White, the Steelheads will look no further than Angus MacDonell to not only provide offense for the Trout, but also provide an energy boost when necessary. MacDonell has recorded 20 points (14G, 6A) in 25 games for Mississauga this season, but his competitiveness and tenacity is what has quickly gained the heart of Steelheads faithful.
You can purchase tickets to the game by clicking here.
Down the 401
The Steelheads will finish off the weekend on the road when they head down the 401 to take on the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre. This is the first of two consecutive meetings with the Generals for the Trout, as they also play the Generals on March 24 at the PFFC. Puck drop is set for 6:05 PM on Sunday evening.
The Generals are amidst a battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, as they currently stand eighth in the conference with 54 points and a record of 24-32-1-5, so the importance of each and every single game for their club is evident. At the forefront of the Generals offense is Ryan Gagnier, who leads Oshawa in nearly every offensive category. Gagnier has totalled 64 points (27G, 37A) in 60 games this season and also operates at an impressive 55% at the faceoff circle. Another offensive weapon that the Steelheads will have to keep an eye on is Calum Ritchie, who has improved on a great rookie season last year. The former second-overall pick from the 2021 OHL Priority Selection has recorded 58 points (24G, 34A) in 58 games this season.
The Steelheads will look to Porter Martone to provide some offence for the team as he has done consistently since being acquired by the Steelheads. Martone has tallied 15 points (12G, 8A) in 25 games since dawning the Blue and White. The rookie has produced some highlight-worthy goals that captured the attention of Steelheads fans. Martone is great at utilizing his size and stickhandling to beat numerous defenders before displaying great patience to often outwait the goaltenders.
You can watch all away games by purchasing CHL TV, accessible on the CHL mobile app, in addition to Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire, and online at watch.chl.ca.
