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USHL Chicago Steel

Sam Lipkin Scores Four in 8-5 Win over Muskegon

February 26, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN - Sam Lipkin scored a natural hat trick in the third period after scoring an earlier goal as part of a first period barrage and the Chicago Steel (26-10-7-1; 60 pts.) took down the Muskegon Lumberjacks (24-14-3-3; 54 pts.) by an 8-5 final Saturday at Mercy Health Arena in Michigan, earning victories in back-to-back road games against the Lumberjacks.

Chicago scored the game's first four goals but saw their advantage shrink to just 5-4 heading into the third period. Three consecutive markers from Lipkin within a span of 2:25 gave the Steel an 8-4 cushion. It was Lipkin's first career hat trick and he is the first Steel player to record four goals in a game since Josh Doan did it against Muskegon on April 23, 2021. Both Doan and Lipkin were selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2021 NHL Draft.

Netminder Christian Manz made 23 of 24 saves in a relief appearance while Joe Miller (2G, 1A) and Adam Fantilli (1G, 2A) recorded three-point nights and Jackson Blake added four helpers in the win.

A night after scoring the last three goals in a 3-2 win, it was the Steel who raced out to an early lead, tallying the first four goals of the game.

Joe Miller opened the scoring after Adam Fantilli forced a turnover in the Steel offensive zone just 30 seconds into the game. Jackson Blake picked up the loose puck and fed Fantilli who put a shot on net. Muskegon netminder Aleksandr Kuleshov padded away the attempt but could not stop Miller parked in front of the crease, who wrapped the puck around Kuleshov.

A longer developing play resulted in Chicago's second goal of the contest. Rookie forward Chris Delaney found Nick Moldenhauer with a cross-ice pass to initiate a rush on the left side of the offensive zone. Moldenhauer slipped a feed to Harvey who lost his defender as he dropped to one knee to connect on a one-timer putting the Steel ahead 2-0.

Lipkin notched his first of the game thanks to a quirky bounce. Andon Cerbone dropped a pass to the left point where Michael Bianconi backhanded a puck in the air towards the net. Lipkin got his right shoulder on the puck to knock it down, then found it at his feet to tap home his 22nd marker of the year.

Miller book-ended the scoring with his second tally of the game on a power play with just over five minutes to play in the first. After a barrage of shots from Adam Fantilli and Jake Livanavage, Miller tapped home a rebound on the doorstep, capping the first Steel man advantage of the night.

Muskegon closed the first period by closing the gap to 4-1 after the Steel failed to exit their defensive zone cleanly, late in the first. Jacob Guevin threw a puck on net where Phil Tresca was waiting to clean up the rebound, registering his 24th goal of the season.

Using the momentum of the final goal in the first, the Lumberjacks rode the wave to score three of the four goals in the middle frame to cut the deficit down to 5-4 entering the third period.

Quinn Hutson scored just 40 seconds into the second, bringing the Lumberjacks within two goals before the Steel's top-ranked power play retaliated.

Adam Fantilli scored his league-leading 27th goal of the season on a one-time feed from Jackson Blake.

The celebration was short lived as Tyler Dunbar pulled Muskegon back to a two-goal gap less than a minute after Fantilli's tally. Moments later, Joey Larson added his 23rd of the season, narrowing the deficit to just one goal for the home team.

Early in the third, Sam Lipkin took over the contest.

Lipkin scored on a power play just under five minutes into the third, notched his hat trick with an even-strength goal less than a minute later and added a shorthanded marker on an odd-man rush moments later to complete his four-goal performance.

During that span, Jackson Blake picked up a pair of helpers while Jake Livanavage, Chris Delaney and Lukas Gustafsson each added assists.

Phil Tresca scored his 25th goal of the season late in the third to make the final score 8-5, the Steel's second win in as many nights against the Lumberjacks and fifth victory of the season vs. Muskegon.

The Steel hit the road for a battle against the Green Bay Gamblers on Friday, March 4 at Resch Center in Wisconsin before the same clubs face off for Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental on Saturday, March 5 at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped stuffed animal to the game to toss onto the ice after the Steel's first goal to be donated to families in need.

Steel single-game tickets start at just $10 and are available in person at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at chicagosteelhockeyteam.com.

The Steel offer single-game ticket discounts for kids 12 and under and military.

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).

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Home Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Saturday, March 5 vs. Green Bay (7:05 pm CT) Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental | Postgame Skate

Friday, March 11 vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 pm CT) Meme Night presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics

Saturday, March 12 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) Ferris Bueller's Day at a Steel Game Presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush | GIVEAWAY - Rusty 'Save Ferris' Bobblehead (First 500 fans)

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