The Tahoe Knight Monsters hit the ice for their second game of the 2025-26 season on Saturday night at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop was at 7:00 PM as the Knight Monsters faced off once again against the Idaho Steelheads. Tahoe entered the matchup with a 1-0-0 record after opening the season with an impressive 6-3 win over the Steelheads the night before. Idaho came into the game looking to bounce back from that loss, holding an 0-1-0 record to start the year. Heading into this contest, the all-time series stood at 8-5-0, with the most recent meeting taking place just the night before on October 17, 2025.
It was game two of the season for both the Tahoe Knight Monsters and the Idaho Steelheads, the middle matchup of a three-game series in Tahoe. The Knight Monsters opened their season with an impressive offensive showing in game one, earning a convincing win to start their campaign. With a 1-0-0 record, Tahoe entered Saturday’s game looking to build on that momentum and secure back-to-back victories. For Idaho, this contest was a chance at redemption. After falling in their season opener, the Steelheads were determined to regroup and claim their first win of the year. Game one showcased Tahoe’s firepower, but the big question heading into game two was whether the Knight Monsters offense would stay hot, or if the Steelheads would respond and even the series in this early-season showdown.
Between the pipes, it was a fresh start for both teams. Jordan Papirny made his season debut for the Tahoe Knight Monsters, getting the call in goal for the first time this year. On the other side, the Idaho Steelheads turned to Nolan Maier, who also made his first start of the 2025-26 season. Both goaltenders were looking to set the tone early and make a strong first impression as their teams continued the early-season series in Tahoe.
It didn’t take long for the Tahoe Knight Monsters to get on the board. Just 32 seconds into the game, #25 Casey Bailey struck first, finding the back of the net to give Tahoe an early 1-0 lead. Jake McGrew picked up the assist on the play, helping set the tone for what looked to be another strong offensive night for the Knight Monsters.
With eight minutes left in the opening period, Idaho’s Charlie Dodero was sent to the box for hooking, giving the Knight Monsters a chance to extend their early lead on the power play. However, Tahoe couldn’t capitalize, and the momentum shifted late in the frame. With under three minutes remaining, Mike O’Leary picked up a pair of penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct and interference, putting the Knight Monsters shorthanded to close out the period. Despite the penalties on both sides, Tahoe held firm and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Knight Monsters wasted no time extending their lead in the second period. Just 19 seconds after the puck dropped, #25 Casey Bailey struck again, scoring his second goal of the night to make it 2-0 Tahoe. #15 Jake McGrew picked up his second assist of the game on the play, continuing to build on his strong offensive start as the Knight Monsters kept the pressure on early in the period.
Just four minutes into the second period, the Idaho Steelheads answered back. #25 Liam Malmquist found the back of the net to put Idaho on the board and cut the deficit to 2-1. #13 Francesco Arcuri earned the assist on the play, helping the Steelheads gain some momentum as they looked to claw their way back into the game.
Midway through the second period, the Idaho Steelheads completed their comeback to even the score. Eight minutes into the frame, #25 Francesco Arcuri buried the tying goal, making it a 2-2 game. Tommy Behrnsland and #13 Ty Pelton-Byce picked up the assists on the play as Idaho’s offense found its rhythm and swung the momentum in their favor.
After an eventful second period that saw both teams trade goals, the game headed into the third tied at 2-2. With momentum shifting back and forth, it was setting up to be an exciting finish between the Knight Monsters and Steelheads.
Less than a minute into the third period, Idaho’s Robbie Holmes was sent to the box for slashing, giving the Knight Monsters an early power play opportunity. Tahoe wasted no time taking advantage, as #25 Casey Bailey completed his hat trick with his third goal of the night to put the Knight Monsters back in front. #15 Jake McGrew notched his third assist of the game, while #26 Nate Kallen also added a helper on the play, helping Tahoe regain a 3-2 lead early in the final frame.
Six minutes into the third period, the Steelheads found themselves shorthanded when Matt Anderson was called for interference. Casey Bailey of the Knight Monsters also received a penalty. Kevin Wall of the Knight Monsters also received a penalty for tripping. Idaho made a statement, as #17 Ty Pelton-Byce scored the tying goal to even the game once again. #5 Tommy Bergsland and #19 Matt Anderson earned the assists, helping Idaho prove they could strike even while down a man and keeping the game deadlocked at 3-3.
Nine minutes into the third period, the Knight Monsters regained the lead thanks to a solo effort from #15 Jake McGrew. McGrew went coast-to-coast and found the back of the net unassisted, giving Tahoe a 4-3 advantage and putting them back in control as the clock wound down in an intense final frame.
With just eight minutes remaining in the game, the Idaho Steelheads struck once more to level the score. #7 Mitch Wall found the back of the net to tie it at 4-4, with #77 Aidan Hreschuk and #11 Ayton Matino earning the assists on the play. The late goal set the stage for a thrilling finish as both teams battled for control in the closing minutes.
With seven minutes remaining, Knight Monsters Nate Kallen was called for interference. The Steelheads scored in dramatic fashion, taking the lead with under two minutes left in regulation. #13 Francesco Arcuri found the back of the net for the go-ahead goal, with #17 Ty Pelton-Byce earning the assist, putting Idaho in front and setting up a heart-pounding finish.
In a final push to tie the game, the Knight Monsters pulled their goalie, leaving the net empty in a last-ditch effort. Idaho took full advantage of the opportunity, as #11 Ayrton Martino capitalized on the open net to seal the game with an empty-net goal, securing the win for the Steelheads.
The game ended with a 6-4 victory for the Idaho Steelheads, marking their first win of the 2025-26 season. After a back-and-forth battle filled with goals and momentum swings, Idaho pulled ahead in the final minutes and held on, leaving the Tahoe Knight Monsters falling just short despite a strong offensive effort.
https://echl.com/videos/idaho-steelheads-vs-tahoe-knight-monsters-oct-17-2025
The Tahoe Knight Monsters showed flashes of their offensive firepower throughout the game, but they struggled to maintain sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Moving the puck out of their own end also proved challenging, allowing the Idaho Steelheads to capitalize on their opportunities. Idaho stayed resilient, staying in the game and steadily turning the momentum in their favor. In the end, the consistent pressure and opportunistic play proved too much for the Knight Monsters, as the Steelheads pulled away late to secure the win.
Zac Electrifly 
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