It’s a new-look blog here at www.idahosteelheads.com, but I just wanted to drop by and preview tonight’s matchup at Sullivan Arena.

The Steelheads have their first of 36 road games tonight in Anchorage; traditionally a tough place to play. Shots on net, and quality ones at that, will be very important against the Alaska Aces in tonight’s Mountain Division tilt.

The reason being: first of all, the likely starter in net for Alaska is Gerald Coleman, who has been a top goaltender at the ECHL level over the last few seasons. Steelheads fans may remember him as a Phoenix RoadRunner for a time in 2008-09. He’s a tall, agile netminder.

Another reason the scoring chances and sustained offensive pressure will be important: Alaska’s top line indicates the look of an offense-first club. Wes Goldie, familiar to Steelheads fans as Victoria’s go-to sniper of the last few seasons, is now in Aces blue. In the offensive zone, he can be lethal. The remedy: keep the puck in the Aces zone, and Goldie and former NHL’er Brian Swanson will not have as many opportunities to show their scoring prowess.

John Swanson is on the 7-Day IR for the Steelheads, who have activated another player anticipated to be a top-line scorer: Justin Taylor. The former Las Vegas Wrangler, who has a breadth of AHL experience, is a big body, and will take up a lot of room in the middle of the ice. He can move, and distribute the puck as well.

As far as the trip: it went without a hitch. Special thanks are also in order to Dustin Molle’s family for providing the Steelheads players and traveling staff with a fantastic dinner last night. Molle hails from Anchorage.

My pick to click tonight: sounds cliche, but look for a solid game out of Mark Derlago tonight.

Tune into tonight’s broadcast on KTIK-AM 1350 “The Ticket” as the pre-game show will precede the puck drop at about 8:55 PM MST (Note the later start time due to the fact we’re in Anchorage). It’s the first of two games, and the Steelheads are looking to duplicate last Friday night’s effort. Watch and listen to tonight’s action by heading over to www.americaone.com; it costs a small fee, but it’ll help you get a glimpse of this tough-to-play-in atmosphere in Anchorage, where it did actually reach the 30′s today.

I’ll talk to you all this evening.