Fighting Saints Sneak Past Steel Wednesday
Published on September 8, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
DUBUQUE, IOWA - Just 27 seconds after Chicago defenseman Matt Kiersted tied the game with a shorthanded goal, Dubuque veteran Dallas Gerads tallied the game-winner as the Fighting Saints (1-0-0-0 preseason) defeated the Chicago Steel (1-1-0-0 preseason) Wednesday at Mystique Ice Center.
Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup opened up the scoring for the Fighting Saints at the 11:00 mark of the first period, converting on a goal line turnover by the Steel defense. Less than five minutes later, Gerads recorded his first goal of the night, beating Chicago netminder Tommy Nappier with a shot from the left wing. Dubuque brought the 2-0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting the Steel 8-6 in the process.
The Steel were able to cut Dubuque's lead in half when Baker Shore scored a power play goal from the top of the crease at 7:25 of the second period, with assists from Colin Swoyer and Greg Printz. Despite a lot of good looks from the Steel the rest of the period, Fighting Saints goalie Jaxon Castor kept the door shut for the rest of the period, as the host team held onto a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Chicago outshot the Saints 15-10 in the second period.
An action-packed third period saw the Steel tie the game on two separate occasions. Chicago winger Mitch Lewandowski notched the score, 2-2, knocking the puck home from the left side at 2:24. Dubuque would regain the lead at 8:55 when Zach Solow beat Nappier from the top of the circle. The Saints' lead would last for three minutes before Kiersted went coast-to-coast, sneaking an unassisted, shorthanded shot past Castor to tie the game at 3. But Gerards immediately responded with a power play goal at 12:22, giving the Saints a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish, despite extra-attacker efforts from the Steel in the final minute.
Shore led the Steel with two points (1+1) on the night, while Nappier finished with 28 saves in the loss. Dubuque outshot Chicago 32-30.
On Saturday, the Steel head north to Green Bay for a 5:05 p.m. game, before completing the preseason with three games in three days at next week's USHL Fall Classic East in suburban Pittsburgh. Chicago then returns home to open the regular season on Saturday, Sept. 24 vs. Green Bay. The first 500 kids (14 and under) in attendance will receive a complimentary Steel replica youth jersey. For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Steel box office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 8, 2016
- Kelleher Dominates with Four Points in 5-3 Win over Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Logo Unveiled - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Crowe Named NTDP Director of Player Personnel - U.S. National Team
- Stars Release Promotions Schedule for 2016-2017 Season - Lincoln Stars
- Fighting Saints Sneak Past Steel Wednesday - Chicago Steel
- Returners Pave the Way in Preseason Victory - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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