Celebrini Hat Trick, Manz Shutout Lead Steel to 7-0 Win
March 4, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS- In a complete team effort, the Chicago Steel (30-14-3-1; 64 pts) scored six first period goals, Macklin Celebrini recorded a hat trick, and goaltender Christian Manz stopped 32 shots for his second career shutout as Chicago defeated the Madison Capitols (11-31-2-1; 25 pts) 7-0 win Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
Celebrini registered his fourth career hat trick and third in the last seven games. Teammate Michael Emerson notched a goal and three assists in his 17th multi-point game this season.
Jayden Perron had three assists while Nick Moldenhauer added a goal and an assist as all four Steel lines registered a goal in the contest.
Coming off back-to-back losses, the Steel came out with a hot start, dominating the first 20 minutes of play and scoring six goals, the second-most in a period this season, trailing only a seven-goal first period at Green Bay on Oct. 29.
Less than five minutes into the game, Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring for the Steel when Michael Emerson made a cross-ice pass to Celebrini in the left circle. Celebrini released a wrister to beat Madison goaltender Mason Kucenski above the blocker.
Celebrini's goal opened the floodgates with Nick Moldenhauer notching a goal less than a minute later. Steel goaltender Christian Manz made a long pass to Moldenhauer at the red line, who quickly found Emerson. Emerson lost the puck in the offensive zone but grabbed it back before finding Moldenhauer in the slot. Moldenhauer stickhandled and lifted the puck on his backhand for a 2-0 Steel lead.
Three minutes later, Celebrini struck again, this time on the power play, to increase the Steel lead to 3-0. Jayden Perron carried the puck end-to-end, finding Celebrini between the dots from the right circle. Celebrini tipped the puck in blocker side.
Under five minutes later, the Steel scored again. Mick Thompson stole the puck behind Madison's goal line before skating to the left circle. Thompson pumped the breaks and started back behind the goal line and banked the puck in off Kucenski's skate on a wraparound.
Twenty seconds later, the Steel increased their lead 5-0. Brady Arneson's shot from the point was saved by Kucenski, but Jordan Brisson was on the doorstep to bank in the rebound for his second goal of the season. The fifth goal resulted in a goalie change for Madison, switching from Kucenski to Rastislav Elias.
With time winding down in the first frame, the Steel tallied a sixth goal. Nick Moldenhauer received a pass in the right circle and quickly made a cross-ice pass to Michael Emerson on the doorstep for a tip-in goal and his 29th of the season.
Halfway through the third period, Celebrini completed the hat trick on a power play opportunity. Jayden Perron carried the puck into the offensive zone, making a drop pass to Emerson. Emerson connected with a streaking Celebrini crashing the net, who tipped the puck in to cap the scoring. It was the 38th goal of the season for the USHL leader in goals and points.
Chicago ended the night 2-for-3 on the power play.
Manz fought off the 32nd Madison shot in the waning seconds before the horn sounded and his teammates celebrated the first Steel shutout this season and the first shutout for Manz since he made 26 saves to blank the Capitols in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season on May 2, 2022.
On Sunday, the Steel take on Madison at home once again in a matinee for Daddy/Daughter Day featuring special guest Barbie with puck drop scheduled for 3:05 p.m.
Sunday marks the return of the Slumberland Family Pack, a deal which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas/waters, four chips and four chuck-a-pucks for just $50. The package may be purchased in quantities of four to eight and may be purchased online by clicking here and selecting from the column on the right side of the ticketing page.
Next weekend, the Steel battle Cedar Rapids at home on Friday, March 10 for part 2 of 2 of the team's Card Set Giveaway presented by Top Shelf Sports Cards. Fans are invited for Full Team Post-Game Autographs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2023
- Gamblers Fall Short to USA on Heavy Metal Night - Green Bay Gamblers
- Empty Trip to Cedar Rapids Provides Pair of 4-1 Losses for Lumberjacks - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Celebrini Hat Trick, Manz Shutout Lead Steel to 7-0 Win - Chicago Steel
- Storm Completes Weekend Sweep of Stampede in 7-1 Victory - Tri-City Storm
- Stars Can't Hang on to Early Lead vs Waterloo - Lincoln Stars
- Lancers Fall 1-0 in a Nailbiter in Fargo - Omaha Lancers
- Empty Trip to Cedar Rapids Provides Pair of 4-1 Losses for Lumberjacks - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Solid Six for Saturday Win - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm Seeks Sixth Consecutive Win - Tri-City Storm
- Gameday Preview - Lincoln Stars
- Lancers Drop First Game of the Weekend in Fargo - Omaha Lancers
- Raftery's Shorthanded Goal Gives Stars Win Over Sioux City - Lincoln Stars
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