The Tahoe Knight Monsters wrapped up their preseason schedule with a hard‑fought 4‑2 defeat to the Idaho Steelheads on Tuesday night at Idaho Central Arena. While the loss was disappointing for the young club, the game highlighted promising moments that should give fans confidence heading into the regular season.
First‑period shutout battle
Both goaltenders were in top form early, with Tahoe’s Alex Tracy and Idaho’s Jake Barczewski each posting shutouts through the opening 20 minutes. The defensive discipline displayed by both squads set a solid tone for the contest.
Steelheads seize early lead
Idaho struck first in the second period when Jordan Steinmetz found the net, putting the Steelheads ahead 1‑0. Just 58 seconds later, Kale Howarth added a second goal, giving Idaho a two‑goal cushion. The momentum continued when Ty Pelton‑Byce scored, extending the lead to 3‑0 midway through the period.
Knight Monsters rally
Despite the early deficit, Tahoe showed resilience. Jett Jones netted his first preseason goal in the closing minutes of the second period, cutting the margin to 3‑1. In the third period, Keanan Stewart scored on a rebound, bringing the score to 3‑2 and igniting a brief surge for the home team.
Idaho seals the win
With a 6‑on‑4 advantage late in the third and an empty net for Idaho, Nick Portz capitalized on the empty‑net opportunity to make it 4‑2, securing the victory for the Steelheads as both clubs concluded their preseason schedules.
Looking ahead
The Knight Monsters will travel to face the Wichita Thunder on Saturday, October 17, with puck drop scheduled for 4:05 p.m. PT and pre‑game coverage beginning at 3:50 p.m. PT. The team will then open its 2026‑27 home slate on Friday, October 23, when they host the New Mexico Goatheads at the Tahoe Blue Event Center.
Coach [Name if provided in source] praised the effort and growth shown by his players, noting that the preseason experience against strong competition like Idaho will serve the squad well as they embark on a full schedule. Fans are encouraged to attend the upcoming games to support the Knights as they strive for a successful inaugural season.
Original reporting: 2news.com — read the source article.
