Allen Americans Defeat Idaho Steelheads 4-2 in Game 2 of Mountain Division Series at CUTX Event Center

The Idaho Steelheads fell to the Allen Americans 4-2 in Game 2 of their Mountain Division Semifinal series on Friday night at the CUTX Event Center in Allen, Texas, dropping the best-of-seven series 2-0 in favor of the Americans.

The loss leaves Idaho facing an early deficit as the series shifts back to Boise for Game 3 on Sunday at Idaho Central Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 4:10 p.m. MT.

Allen struck first on the power play early in the second period when Andre Anania stepped up from the blue line and scored 2:50 into the middle frame to make it 1-0. Later in the period, Landen Hookey tipped a puck past Idaho goaltender Jake Barczewski to double the lead to 2-0, marking Hookey’s first goal of the series.

The Americans extended their advantage early in the third period with another power-play goal, as Colton Hargrove scored from the right circle for his second goal of the series to make it 3-0.

Idaho responded midway through the third period when Nick Portz scored right after a faceoff just over halfway through the period for his first career Kelly Cup Playoff goal, cutting the deficit to 3-1. The Steelheads pulled within one goal 1:45 later when Ty Pelton-Byce finished a tic-tac-toe passing play in the slot for a power-play goal to make it 3-2.

Despite the late surge, Idaho could not complete the comeback as the Americans added an insurance goal to seal the 4-2 victory. The win was built on three power-play goals by Allen, which proved decisive in the outcome.

In Game 1 of the series, the Americans had defeated the Steelheads 5-1 on Thursday night at the same venue. Brayden Watts opened the scoring just 32 seconds into the game, and the Americans built a 3-0 lead by the second period. Jade Miller scored Idaho’s only goal in the middle frame, but empty-net goals by Colby McAuley and Brayden Watts in the final minutes secured the 5-1 win for Allen.

Jake Barczewski stopped 22 of 25 shots faced in Game 2 for Idaho, while Brett Mirwald made 25 saves on 26 shots for Allen in the victory. The Americans now head back to Boise with a 2-0 series lead, looking to close out the series on home ice in Idaho.