Chicago Steel Weekend Preview
March 14, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
BENSENVILLE, Ill (March 14, 2014) - The Chicago Steel hit the road this weekend for two games against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. both nights at Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, S. D. Friday's meeting will be the first between the two teams this season. Chicago defeated Sioux Falls 7-4 in the only meeting between the two teams last season.
The Stampede enter this weekend having already punched their ticket to the postseason and sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 29-16-6. All of the playoff spots in the Western Conference have been decided, all that is left to be determined is seeding. The Stampede are only three points behind the third place Sioux City Musketeers. Omaha and Waterloo occupy the other two playoff spots. The top scorer on the Stampede this season has been Dennis Kravchenko. In 41 games with the Stampede this season, the University of Massachusetts commit, has 12 goals and 32 assists. Following Kravchenko in the scoring race is a pair of Minnesota State-Mankato commits. CJ Franklin has recorded 43 points (16g, 27a) in 46 appearances. Zeb Knutson rounds out the top three scorers with 42 points (24g, 18a) in 46 appearances. The Stampede have split the goaltending duties this season evenly between Arthur Brey and David Jacobson. Jacobson is 16-6-3 this season while Brey is 13-10-3. The two goaltenders have combined for five shutouts, Brey has three and Jacobson has two.
Over their last five contests, Sioux Falls has gone 3-1-1. Over that stretch, the Stampede have two players averaging a point per game or better. Christian Horn leads the way with six points (4g, 2a). Horn started this season with the Tri-City Storm but was acquired by the Stampede in a trade on Jan. 28. Kravchenko has a goal and four assists over their last five games.
The Stampede are 13-9-3 at home this season and 10-3-1 against teams from the Eastern Conference. The Steel are 14-12-3 on the road this season and 12-4-1 against teams from the Western Conference.
The Steel enter this weekend still holding the fourth and final playoff spot in the USHL Eastern Conference. Since the beginning of February, the Steel have only been defeated twice in regulation. In the only game last week against Dubuque, CJ Smith recorded two goals. He now has seven goals in the Steel's last eight games. One of Smith's goals came while shorthanded giving him four shorthanded goals this season which ranks second in the USHL. Robby Jackson scored the game winning goal against the Fighting Saints. His six game winning goals this season rank second in the USHL. Peter Tischke recorded the first multi point game in his USHL career against Dubuque. His two points (2a) also tied for the game high.
Last week, the Steel had two players commit to colleges. Victor Bjorkung committed to Ohio State and Mason Bergh to Colorado College.
The Steel's next home game is Wed. March 19. Puck drops at 10 a.m. for the Steel's annual School Day Game. The School Day Game begins a four game home stand for the Steel. Seven of the Steel's final eight games will be played at home. Tickets are still available for most contests and can be purchased online at tickets.chicagosteelhockeyteam.com or by calling 630-594-1161.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2014
- Hawks Foiled on Friday - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Jobst, Lumberjacks Chop Phantoms in First of Two - Youngstown Phantoms
- Hertz and Shane Push Des Moines to 4-1 Win Friday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede Cruise by Chicago for 30th Win of the Season - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Late Goals Lift Ice - Indiana Ice
- Mason Jobst Tallies a Pair as Muskegon Cruises Past Youngstown - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Steel's Vanko Makes College Decision - Chicago Steel
- Chicago Steel Weekend Preview - Chicago Steel
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