USHL Chicago Steel

Ostman Records Shutout In 4-0 Win Over Madison

January 31, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Victor Ostman stopped 30 shots and an offensive outburst with four goals in the second period helped the Chicago Steel (28-6-1-0, 57 pts) take control over the Madison Capitols (7-27-3-0, 17 pts) and capture a 4-0 victory on Friday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena. The shutout marked Ostman's second whitewash of the season.

"I think when he's playing that way, he controls the game," said Steel Head Coach Brock Sheahan. "I thought pucks hit him and they stuck to him. Whenever it got a little chaotic, he slowed (the game) down and that's what we look for out of him."

Neither team could crack the scoreboard in the opening frame as Chicago outshot Madison by a 15-8 margin through the first 20 minutes of action.

The Steel offense came to life with a vengeance in the second period with four goals over the middle frame, putting the club firmly in control for the rest of the night.

Brendan Brisson broke the scoreless tie when Sean Farrell evaded a check at the blue line, gaining the offensive zone down the left side and found Brisson on the right side of the crease to tap home his 18th marker on the season.

Defenseman Jimmy Dowd lit the lamp for the second time this season with a wrister off a highlight-reel feed. Matty De St. Phalle located Dowd with a behind-the-back pass as Dowd joined an offensive rush.

"That was a pretty awesome pass by Matty to have the poise to wait and see that lane open for me," said Dowd. "That was unbelievable."

The goal put Chicago ahead 2-0 but they weren't finished there.

Just over halfway through the second period, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine netted a power-play tally to extend the lead to 3-0. Fontaine fired a wrister from the top of the right circle, the first goal with the man advantage for Chicago in the last three games.

De St. Phalle scored a goal of his own with under a minute to play in the second. The University of Wisconsin commit picked up a rebound after defenseman John Spetz put a puck on net, tallying the team's second power-play goal of the evening.

Netminder Victor Ostman fought off nine third-period shots from the Capitols to preserve his second shutout of the season. The Danderyd, Sweden, native pushed his record to 18-4-0-0 this season, leading all USHL goaltenders in wins.

"Coming into a game when you've had two losses, you want to win even more," said Ostman. "We felt that as a team. We just came together better and that paid off.

"It felt great for me personally and I think a big part of that is how we played as a team, especially how we played in the third. I really like how we finished the game tonight."

The Steel close out their three-game homestand when the Des Moines Buccaneers come to Fox Valley Ice Arena on Sat., Feb. 1.

Saturday's contest is the return of the fan-favorite Star Wars Night with a chance for fans to meet their favorite Star Wars characters. It's also a Raising Cane's Kids Day with a $10 deal for kids 12 and under which includes a Red Zone ticket, Steel drawstring backpack and free Raising Cane's Kids Combo card.

Chicago Steel games may be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (VIDEO). Chicago Steel Upcoming Games:

Sat., Feb. 1 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers 7:05 pm (Star Wars Night, Raising Cane's Kids Day)

Fri., Feb. 7 at Green Bay Gamblers 7:05 pm

Sat., Feb. 8 at Green Bay Gamblers 7:05 pm

For more information and to purchase Steel tickets, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2020


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