Wolverines upset top-ranked Idaho

The Whitefish Wolverines pulled out an upset 6-1 victory Friday against the top-rated Idaho Steelheads.

Whitefish (17-24) is the first team to beat Idaho (38-1) in regulation this year.

“This was a big win for the program,” said Whitefish coach Joakim Falt.

With two minutes left in the opening period, Riley Ingalls sunk one for Whitefish with Danny Roe and Evan Carter assisting, giving Whitefish a 1-0 lead.

Falt kept that energy up as the Wolverines came out in the second scoring two goals within the first four minutes. Brett Fernandez roofed one by Steelheads goaltender Tyler Hough. Bryan Polmear received the assist.

Chris Cutshall then buried one off a great pass from Kieffer Helbing ending the night for Hough.

The Wolverines’ defensive play prevented Idaho from scoring in the second, giving Whitefish a 3-0 lead at the end of period two play.

Cutshall stormed out in the third and earned a shorthanded goal after Sam Appleby was called for cross-checking. The Wolverines’ defensemen continued their efforts while the fierce duo of Fernandez and Polmear struck again when Fernandez added another goal for the Wolverines, giving them a 5-0 lead.

The Steelheads finally broke Schultz’s shutout when, with a two-man advantage, they pulled goalie Austin Althaus for the six on three, and Steelheads’ Robert Neuwirth tallied to get them on the board.

Idaho won the final two games of the weekend series 0-7 and 0-4.

Whitefish travels to Southern Oregon for a series this weekend.

The Wolverines wrap up the regular season Feb. 27 at Missoula before the playoffs begin. Whitefish has already secured a playoff berth.