Record-Breaking Regular Season for Steel
April 18, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel have had a season to remember including a surplus of individual and team records. Many of these accomplishments are listed here:
Abruzzese Wins Scoring Title
Steel forward Nick Abruzzese finished the season with 80 points (29-51-80), which led the USHL by four points. This was just the second time in franchise history that a Chicago skater led the USHL in points after forward Andrew Miller did so during the 2008-2009 season with 82 points. Abruzzese, a Harvard University commit, became just the 13th player in USHL Tier I history to hit the 80-point mark in a season and the only player to do so in the last three seasons.
Abruzzese Sets Single-Season Assist Record
A big part of Abruzzese's league-leading 80 points was his 51 assists, which broke the previous Steel record of 50 in one season.
Mastrosimone, Most Prolific Scorer in Steel History
Forward Robert Mastrosimone tallied his 47th career goal on April 12, giving him the most goals of any Steel player in franchise history, surpassing Andrew Miller, who had 46 goals from 2007 to 2009.
Robbins Sets Wins Record
Goaltender Justin Robbins won his 23rd game of the season on March 22, which set a franchise record for most wins in a single Steel season. Robbins finished the season with 25 wins.
Goals, Goals, Goals
On March 29, the Chicago Steel netted the 221st goal of the season, which set a franchise record for most goals in a single season. Chicago finished the regular season with 243, blowing out the previous record of 219 set last season. This season was just the third time in the team's Tier I history that it surpassed the 200-goal mark (218 in 2007-2008).
Coach Moore Breaks Rookie Coaching Record
Rookie Head Coach Greg Moore led the Steel to 35 wins and 74 points with a win on April 5. Moore's Steel ended the regular season with 37 wins and 78 points. Both marks set new records for first-year USHL head coaches for the Steel. Chicago has had 11 first-year coaches in its history.
The Century Club
Both Nick Abruzzese and Robert Mastrosimone joined the Chicago Steel career 100-point club this season. Abruzzese became the fourth player in franchise history to do so back on March 8 while Mastrosimone became the fifth on March 24. Abruzzese (116) and Mastrosimone (106) are third and fourth all-time in franchise history. Forward Josiah Slavin also amassed 100 points on April 12, with 69 points with the Lincoln Stars, 20 with the Steel and 14 with Tri-City. Slavin was acquired by the Steel from Lincoln in January.
Mastrosimone's Top 10 Play
On February 2, forward Robert Mastrosimone scored a between-the-legs goal against the Youngstown Phantoms that landed him at #5 on SportsCenter's Top 10 plays of the night. Mastrosimone's goal came as part of a 4-0 win over the Phantoms on Chicago Blackhawks Night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
We're In!
The Steel clinched their third-straight playoff berth this season, marking the longest consecutive playoff appearance streak in franchise history.
USHL Regular Season Game Benchmarks
Forward Josiah Slavin, who was acquired in January, skated in his 150th regular season USHL game this season. Six different Steel players skated in their 100th career regular season USHL game this season including forwards Nick Abruzzese, Robert Mastrosimone and Mathieu De St. Phalle as well as defensemen Matteo Pietroniro, John Spetz and Casey Staum. Goaltender Justin Robbins logged his 50th regular season USHL appearance this season as well. On December 29, Athletic Trainer Jim Schroeder worked his 500th USHL game.
Home Ice Advantage
The Chicago Steel went on a franchise-record 14-game winning streak at Fox Valley Ice Arena from November 23 to February 15 that spanned almost four months and nearly half the team's home schedule.
USHL Players of the Week
The Steel made the USHL Players of the Week list five times this season, including two Forward of the Week wins by Nick Abruzzese. Captain Matteo Pietroniro and Luke Reid both won Defenseman of the Week once while Reilly Herbst captured Goalie of the Week once as well.
Single game tickets for the Eastern Conference Semifinals are on sale now. The minimum number of tickets to receive group pricing is 10 during the Clark Cup Playoffs.
Fans still have the opportunity to secure playoff tickets through the team's Pay as We Play program, which allows fans to lock in the same seat to every home playoff game. All Steel games are broadcast live on HockeyTV (video) and mixlr.com/chicago-steel (free audio).
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2019
- Fargo Force 2018-2019 Season Highlights - Fargo Force
- Muskegon to Face Dubuque in Eastern Conference Semifinals - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stampede Set to Face Black Hawks in Western Conference Semi-Finals - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Saints Announce Semifinal Dates, Ticket Deal - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Record-Breaking Regular Season for Steel - Chicago Steel
- Playoff Schedule Set - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Clark Cup Conference Semifinals Dates Announced - USHL
- Clark Cup Conference Semifinals Dates Announced - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede Sweep Away Sioux City in Historic 4OT Game - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Riley Tufte Signs with Dallas Stars - Fargo Force
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