Sparks Fly as Steel Score Five in Eras Night Victory
February 18, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, IL - In front of a record-setting crowd on Chicago Steel: The Eras Night, the Steel (18-19-3-3, 42 pts.) outscored the Tri-City Storm (21-14-4-4, 50 pts.) three to one in the final two periods of play to skate to a 5-3 win at Fox Valley Ice Arena Saturday night.
In a crowd of 2,523 raucous Swifties and Steel fans, setting the team's record attendance at Fox Valley Ice Arena, Chicago never trailed en route to its fourth consecutive home game earning at least one standings point.
Wearing Taylor Swift-inspired jerseys, the Steel quickly jumped in front to start the contest with an opening goal from Michael Emerson at 6:54 of the first period, followed by Chris Able recording his fourth goal of the season just past the halfway point. Michael Hagens also notched his fourth goal of the season early in the second period, followed by Ben Yurchuk getting his seventh score of the season with a minute left in the middle frame. Tobias Ohman put a bow on the Love Story with his fifth goal of the season with three minutes left to put the game away.
Steel netminder Louka Cloutier stopped 39 of 42 shots to earn his tenth win of the season.
After trailing behind 2-0 to Tri-City early in Friday's contest, Chicago flipped the script Saturday, scoring a pair of goals in the game's first 12 minutes.
It began when a Grade-A chance at the doorstep was initially denied by Tri-City, but the puck found Charlie Major who sent a pass cross-crease to Emerson at the back door to kickstart the night.
Later in the frame at 11:11, Able scored one of the wackier goals you'll see. After Mick Thompson made a nifty nudge to move the puck on the right wing, Able's only option was to send a sharp-angle wrist shot on net. The puck deflected off a Storm defender's stick, into the air, off the back of Storm netminder Cameron Korpi and over the goal line.
Able's score was his fourth of the season and gave the Steel their first two-goal lead of the weekend.
The Storm responded without haste in the final moments of the period.
Chicago was whistled for the first penalty of the game, giving the Storm the opportunity to send their lethal power play unit to work.
Just before their advantage expired, Vladislav Lukashevich found the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season that made it a 2-1 game.
Five minutes later, the Steel again went to the box and Tri-City made them pay.
Following a two-point outing the previous night, Trevor Connelly found the points column Saturday with his 19th goal of the season that tied the game at two heading into the second period.
Early in the second period, a solid offensive zone cycle resulted in the puck getting to the point for Hagens, who fired a wrist shot that was deflected on its way through traffic past Korpi to break the tie.
Connelly then scored his second goal of the night to tie the game at three, but that was the last Storm tally of the night.
With just over a minute remaining in the period, the Steel upped the urgency and scored a crucial goal.
After grabbing the puck following a turnover in neutral ice, Yurchuk made a gorgeous move around two Tri-City defenders and weaved in alone, sending a backhander past Korpi for the tiebreaking goal.
Yurchuk's goal would stand as the game-winner, his second of the season.
Chicago added a final goal with Ohman sniping his fifth goal of the season from the low slot to finalize the 5-3 win and send the Steel and Swiftie faithful home happy.
Chicago finishes the weekend at home on Sunday against division rival Madison.
The weekend will conclude with Part 1 of the Steel Trading Card Giveaway on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3:05 pm. Fans can stick around for full team post-game autographs after the game.
Sunday, Feb. 18 is a Steel Family Pack game where fans can get four tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas/waters and chuck-a-pucks for just $60.
Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Sunday, February 18 vs. Madison Capitols (3:05 pm CT) | Steel Trading Card Set Giveaway (Part 1) | Family Pack Game | Full Team Post-Game Autographs Friday, February 23 at Youngstown Phantoms (7:05 pm CT) Saturday, February 24 at Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 pm CT)
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United States Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2024
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- Rewind: Recapping Saturday's Action in the USHL - USHL
- Sparks Fly as Steel Score Five in Eras Night Victory - Chicago Steel
- Lancers Lose in a Close One - Omaha Lancers
- Fighting Five: Dubuque Visits Lincoln to Finish Weekend - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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