PHOTOS: Goatheads collect their firsts — except the one that counts

By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — The New Mexico Goatheads checked nearly every box on their inaugural weekend — first goal, first lead, first overtime — except the one fans wanted most.

The Idaho Steelheads swept the three-game opening series at the Rio Rancho Events Center, winning 4-1 Friday, 4-3 in overtime Saturday and 5-2 Sunday. New Mexico hits the road at 0-2-1, still hunting the first win in franchise history.

Check out our photos by Roberto E. Rosales from Friday’s debut game and our recaps below.

Friday

More than 6,000 fans packed a sold-out Rio Rancho Events Center as the New Mexico Goatheads opened their inaugural game.

Cameron Buhl scored the first goal in Goatheads history in the third period of the sold-out opener, with Saige Weinstein and Lynden Breen collecting the franchise’s first assists. By then, Idaho already led 3-0.

Saturday

New Mexico saved its best hockey for the last second. Trailing 2-0 entering the third period, the Goatheads tied it on a Jake Chiasson power-play goal and a Luka Burzan tip-in.

Liam Malmquist put Idaho back on top with nine minutes left. Then, with one tick on the clock, captain Derek Daschke found Breen off an offensive-zone faceoff, and Breen buried the equalizer to force the first overtime in franchise history.

Malmquist spoiled the party on a breakaway for his second goal of the night. Daschke assisted on all three New Mexico goals, and Hunter Miska made 32 saves.

Sunday

Breen gave the Goatheads the first lead in franchise history 13:29 into the series finale. It didn’t last. Idaho scored twice late in the second period and added a shorthanded goal in the third.

Buhl pulled New Mexico within one, but Idaho answered 12 seconds later and tacked on an empty-netter. The Goatheads outshot the Steelheads 32-28 in the loss.

Defenseman Hank Kempf left the game in the first period after a skate blade cut him in the head and neck area during a collision in the crease. He skated off under his own power, according to the Steelheads’ game recap.

Through three games, Breen, Buhl and Daschke share the team lead with three points apiece.

The Goatheads open their first road trip with three games against the Tahoe Knight Monsters in Stateline, Nevada, Oct. 23-25, then return to Rio Rancho to host the Rapid City Rush on Oct. 30-31.

Goatheads at Tahoe Knight Monsters (Tahoe Blue Event Center)

• Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m. 
• Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m. 
• Sunday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m. 
• Watch: ECHL.TV on FloSports
• Away watch parties: nmgoatheads.com/watch-parties

Back home vs. Rapid City Rush (Rio Rancho Events Center)

• Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m. (Oktoberfest)
• Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. (Peanuts Halloween)
• Tickets: nmgoatheads.com/tickets