LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – The Tahoe Knight Monsters dropped their two preseason games this weekend, including a hard-fought contest to the Idaho Steelheads 4-2 at Idaho Central Arena to close the preseason on Sunday.
Friday – Steelheads Score Late Goal to Down Knight Monsters
The Tahoe Knight Monsters fell to the Idaho Steelheads on the road in their first-ever preseason game, 3-2 in Idaho Falls.
Both teams got their offenses going in the first period, as Robbie Holmes and Liam Malmquist scored back-to-back tallies to give Idaho a quick 2-0 lead. However, the Knight Monsters would quickly battle back, as Jake McGrew got Tahoe on the board, and rookie forward Cy LeClerc would score his first of the preseason to tie the contest at 2 heading into the second frame.
In the second, goaltending stole the show. Knight Monsters goaltender Pavel Moysevich, who is currently on an NHL contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, made numerous highlight-reel saves to keep the game tied going into the final period.
In the final 20, it was all goalies until the final 15 seconds of the game, when Steelheads forward Mason Nevers found the back of the net, and Idaho took home a win to open the preseason.
Sunday – Comeback Falls Short as Idaho Wins 4-2 in Preseason Finale
Goaltending was the story of the first period, as Tahoe’s Alex Tracy and Idaho’s Jake Barczewski both pitched shutouts through the opening 20 minutes.
In the second, the Steelheads struck first, as Jordan Steinmetz found the back of the net to make it 1-0. Just 58 seconds later, Idaho scored again, this time from Kale Howarth, to make it a two-goal lead. In the middle of the frame, Ty Pelton-Byce would add on one more to give the Steelheads a 3-0 lead in the second period. However, the Knight Monsters would take some momentum into the third, as Jett Jones scored his first goal of the preseason in the closing minutes to make it 3-1 Idaho entering the final frame.
In the third, Keanan Stewart helped Tahoe inch closer, as he scored on a rebound to make it a 3-2 game. Although Tahoe had a 6-on-4 advantage late in the period with an Idaho penalty and an empty net, Nick Portz found the back of the empty net to seal the victory for Idaho as both teams closed their preseason schedules.
Regular Season
The ECHL, the premier ‘AA’ Hockey League, will open its 39th season on Friday, Oct. 16 with eight games. Opening Weekend continues with 14 games on Saturday, Oct. 17 before concluding with five games on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Knight Monsters will be back in action for regular-season hockey on October 17, as they face off against the Wichita Thunder on the road. Puck drop is at 4:05 pm PT, with pregame coverage beginning at 3:50 pm PT.
The Knight Monsters open the 2026-27 season at home on Friday, October 23, as they take on the New Mexico Goatheads at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Season tickets and ticket packages for the 2026-27 season are now available.
For more information on becoming a 1645 Club Season Ticket Member, visit knightmonstershockey.com.
This summer, the Knight Monsters unveiled a new color, moving from teal to blue.
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The Knight Monsters are an affiliate of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.