Chicago Shuts Out Sioux City 3-0
February 5, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
SIOUX CITY, IOWA - John Lethemon stopped 47 shots in net, and the Steel scored three second period goals as Chicago (17-18-3-3, 40 points) defeated the Sioux City Musketeers (18-19-1-0, 37 points) 3-0 Friday at Tyson Events Center. Forward Samuel Bucek scored a breakaway goal in his first USHL game, and Matt Kiersted and Mitch Lewandowski had goals for the Steel.
The teams played an exciting, yet scoreless, opening period. Both teams had their chances, as Sioux City outshot the Steel 19-14 in the frame, but both Lethemon and Musketeers goaltender Cam Gornet stood tall in their respective nets, making several key stops to keep the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.
Chicago blew the game wide open in the second. After Sioux City's Connor Valesano was called for roughing, Chicago received the game's first power play, and proceeded to cash in. After Chicago fowards Jack Gessert and Lewandowski won a battle along the boards, the puck bounced out to Kiersted at the right point. Kiersted skated to the right circle and fired a shot over the left shoulder of Gornet to give the Steel a 1-0 lead at the 7:20 mark.
The Steel doubled their lead less than two minutes later, all thanks to Bucek who arrived in the United States six days ago from his native Slovakia. After blocking a shot at the right point, Bucek corralled the puck and skated in alone on a breakaway. The dynamic forward deked Gornet down to the ice and placed a shot over the pad of the Sioux City netminder to give Chicago a 2-0 lead.
Chicago extended its lead late in the period. After pressuring a Musketeers defenseman along the Steel's defensive blue line, Harolds Egle intercepted the puck and began a 2-on-1 rush with Lewandowski. After gaining the offensive blue line, Egle fired a hard pass to Lewandowksi, who was all alone in the left circle. Lewandowski powered a shot over the blocker of a sprawled out Gornet to make it 3-0 Chicago.
The Musketeers put up a valiant effort in the third period, but John Lethemon stood tall all night long for Chicago. The Michigan State commit faced his toughest test in the third period, when the Steel were outshot 13-3 by Sioux City. The shutout was Lethemon's second of the season. It was the first shutout for Chicago since it blanked the Fargo Force 1-0 on January 8.
Lethemon also recorded the shutout in that victory.
Chicago has now recorded at least a point in 10 of its last 12 games.
The Steel will face the Omaha Lancers on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7:05 p.m. at Ralston Arena in Omaha. Chicago returns home for a rematch against Sioux City on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena. It's Steel Your Heart Night with a special Valentine's ticket package that includes two tickets, two popcorns, two Steel winter caps and a photo with mascot Rusty for just $40. Plus, it's College Night. Students with a valid ID receive a special $12 ticket that includes a $5 beverage voucher. Tickets are available at the box office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2016
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