For immediate release
For more information, contact: Joel Silverberg, Director of Broadcasting (865) 525-7825, joel@knoxvilleicebears.com.
The SPHL named Ice Bears goalie Zane Steeves as the SPHL Player of the Week for Feb. 5-11 on Tuesday afternoon. Steeves started both games for Knoxville on Friday and Saturday, making a total of 90 saves in helping the Ice Bears to a pair of wins over Fayetteville and Roanoke. He’s the third Ice Bear to receive the honor this season and the second goalie along with Marco Costantini. Jordy Stallard earned the nod in November.
Steeves opened the weekend by stopping 33-of-35 shots against the Marksmen in a 5-2 win on Friday at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. He denied Hayden Hulton on a quick shot from in front of the crease late in the first period and kicked away a point-blank attempt by Dalton Hunter midway through the second.
The Red Deer native followed up his performance with a career-high 57 saves on Saturday in Roanoke in a 5-4 overtime win over the Rail Yard Dawgs. Steeves kept Knoxville within striking distance after the first period by making 20 saves in the opening frame alone. He made 21 saves in the second period to keep the score tied at the break, including a one-timer from the slot by Savva Smirnov.
His two biggest saves of the night came in the third period when he stopped Alex DiCarlo from the right circle and slid across the crease to kick away a Jacob Kelly wrist shot off the backdoor step. Dawson McKinney scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give Knoxville the win despite being outshot 61-25.
The Ice Bears return to the Civic Coliseum to host Macon on Friday and Saturday. Knoxville visits Huntsville on Sunday.
ABOUT The Knoxville Ice Bears: The Knoxville Ice Bears organization began in 2002 and was an inaugural charter member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) in 2004. As four-time SPHL Champions and five-time regular season champions, the Ice Bears are an experienced and established organization, offering the city and its visitors a balanced product of highlight-reel hockey, unique and exciting intermission activity and endless fan interaction, presenting the most affordable, family-friendly way to enjoy sports and entertainment. Season, Partial Season and Flex Tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit www.knoxvilleicebears.com or call (865) 525-7825.
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