Chicago Falls 3-2 to Des Moines
February 16, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - In a game that featured all five goals scored during a nine-minute stretch in the second period, the Des Moines Buccaneers defeated the Chicago Steel 3-2 Friday at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
The Buccaneers (16-20-2-2, 36 pts.) received all three of their goals from the line of Brian Halonen (1-1-2), Nicolas Werbik (1-2-3) and Julian Napravnik (1-1-2). Roman Durny recorded 36 saves between the pipes for Des Moines. Samuel Bucek notched one goal and one assist for the Steel, who dropped to 19-17-1-3 (42 pts.).
Neither team found the net in a first period that saw Chicago outshoot Des Moines 12-3.
The high-scoring period started with a Vidgren wrist shot from the high slot that found room over Durny's blocker. Vidgren was set up from an outlet pass from Graham Lillibridge before a give-and-go with Bucek sprung Vidgren into the offensive zone. With the secondary assist, Lillibridge moved into a tie for 10th all-time in Steel assists (54) with forward Mason Bergh (2013-15).
The lead lasted for just 2:39 before the Buccaneers got an equalizing goal from Napravnik. The German winger was set up by a pass from Werbik, who increased his team-leading point total to 30 (17-13-30).
Des Moines added to its lead 50 seconds later when Werbik received a pass from Halonen and fired a wrist shot over the glove of Chicago goaltender Justin Robbins and into the upper corner of the net.
Just 16 seconds later, Bucek connected on a Nick Abruzzese rebound and deposited the puck on the glove side past a sprawled-out netminder, tying the game 2-2.
Later in the period, Halonen broke the tie for Des Moines, jamming Werbik's rebound through the five-hole at 10:44.
Neither team scored in the final frame despite a combined 30 shots. The Steel finished a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill while converting once in four power-play chances.
The weekend closes Saturday night with a 7:05 p.m. home game against the Madison Capitols, and the Steel will host the team's first annual Wiener Dog Races. 18 dachshunds are currently registered to go for gold in the event which has become a popular USHL tradition. The field will take part in a preliminary heat during the first intermission, and the top four racers will advance to the final during the second intermission. The dogs will race from the goal line to center ice prior to the Zamboni cut. Race proceeds will benefit Rescue Warriors Corp. and prizes have been provided by WoofBeach. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 855-51-STEEL, stop by the Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2018
- Saints Scale Insurmountable Summit, Fall to Caps - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- McKay backstops the Caps to victory; Mancinelli scores winner in shootout - Madison Capitols
- Chicago Falls 3-2 to Des Moines - Chicago Steel
- Sioux City Falls to the Stampede by a Final of 5-3 - Sioux City Musketeers
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- Stampede Stay Hot, Top Sioux City 5-3 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stars Fall Late to Lancers, 4-3 - Lincoln Stars
- Late Goal Sends Lancers Past Stars, 4-3 - Omaha Lancers
- Prosvetov Stops 34 in Phantoms 2-1 Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- It's off to the Races at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva as 18 Wiener Dogs Go for the Gold - Chicago Steel
- Preview: Storm Travel to Fargo for Weekend Series - Tri-City Storm
- Jacks Aim to Scrape Together Wins on Iowa Roadtrip - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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