March 5 (1982)

Calling it “my worst game in two years,” goalkeeper Slobo Ilijevski shows some rust appearing in his first match after issuing a play-me-or-trade-me ultimatum. But the St. Louis Steamers rally from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Denver Avalanche 7-5 before 16,662 fans at the Checkerdome. Avalanche forward and St. Louis native Tim Walters scores on a shot between Ilijevski’s legs, and the Avalanche score another when Ilijevski drops a shot and Charlie Carey slams the ball into the net. Offensively, Ilijevski assists on the game-winning goal by Steve Pecher. It is Ilijevski’s eighth assist of the season. The game’s No. 1 star goes to Steamers defender Carl Rose, who scores a goal and adds an assist. Rose, an original Steamer, will go on to play 275 games for the Steamers from 1979-86. Walters will join the Steamers the next season and will score 57 goals in 122 games from 1982-85 with St. Louis. He will finish his professional playing career with the St. Louis Ambush and will score 12 goals in 33 games in 1992-93. As for Ilijevksi, one of the top goalkeepers in indoor soccer history, he will remain a Steamer until 1988.