Morris Backstops Steel to 4-0 Shutout Friday Night
Published on March 7, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa -The playoff race in the USHL's Eastern Conference just got a little tighter. The Chicago Steel pulled within four points of the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the standings by earning a 4-0 win Friday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center. CJ Smith scored a pair of goals for the Steel and Cale Morris was perfect in goal stopping all 33 Dubuque shots.
The game started with a bang. Just 10 seconds into the contest, Jacob Benson dropped the gloves with Chicago's Connor McDonald. The early scrap got the crowd into the game, but the Steel quickly quieted the 2,740 in attendance. Robby Jackson scored only 39 seconds into the game to make it 1-0 Chicago. John Ernsting received a pass from Fredrik Olofsson and pulled up looking for help. He found Jackson along the left wing and the forward wasted no time, firing a tough angle shot over Dubuque goaltender Kevin Reich's glove to open the scoring.
The Steel doubled its lead on a shorthanded goal from Smith. Dubuque lost the puck at the blueline and Smith rushed up ice on a breakaway thanks to a pass from Brendon Kearney. He kept the puck on the forehand, snapping a shot over Reich's blocker to make it 2-0 at 10:18.
Smith scored once more prior to the period ending, tapping a loose puck five-hole on Reich at 18:22 to make it 3-0. Connor Yau and John Schilling assisted on the tally.
Chicago chased Reich in the second period, scoring the lone tally of the game's middle frame. A loose puck in center ice area ricocheted around and finally came on the tape of the Steel. Kearney picked up his second assist of the game, feeding the puck to the slot where Mason Bergh blasted a one-timer over Reich's glove to make it 4-0 at 18:18. Following the goal, Reich was replaced by Ben Johansson in goal as the Fighting Saints looked to spark the team.
Johansson was strong in relief, stopping all 20 shots he faced in a period and a half. However Morris continued to shut the door on Dubuque and earned his third shutout of the season with 33 saves.
The Fighting Saints fell to 28-16-4 while Chicago improved to 26-20-4. Through 50 games, the Steel have 56 points and currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot. Chicago sits only four points back of Dubuque for third place. The Fighting Saints have two games in-hand with only 48 games played.
Tomorrow the Fighting Saints host Sioux Falls and it is Girls Night Out presented by DBQ Fashions. The evening features a special ticket package for ladies that includes a chocolate and wine tasting presented by Chocolaterie Stam, a Hockey 101 session with a Fighting Saints coach, as well as a pair of stemless wine glasses. The package includes a corner section ticket and is just $20. Season ticket holders can add the Girls Night Out package for only $12. The game will also be televised live on KCRG 9.2. Tickets are available to both games by calling 563.583.6880or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2014
- Furious First Leads Lancers to Win over Phantoms - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lumberjacks Complete Comeback, Top Tri-City - Tri-City Storm
- Morris Backstops Steel to 4-0 Shutout Friday Night - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Ice win 6-1 - Indiana Ice
- Stampede Inch Closer to a Playoff Berth with 5-2 Win at Des Moines - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Morris Earns Shutout over Dubuque - Chicago Steel
- Tait Leads The Charge As Lancers Topple Phantoms, 5-3 - Omaha Lancers
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