USHL Chicago Steel

Steel capture first home win

Published on October 19, 2004 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


Bensenville, IL— The Chicago Steel played three games in three nights last weekend and came with two points., 1-2-0.

On Thursday night, the Steel traveled to Indianapolis for the first time in franchise history to take on the Ice. Penalties continue to haunt the Steel as the Ice went 3-7 on the power play and finished off the Steel 4-2. Rookie net minder Billy Sauer (Rochester, NY) suffered his first defeat in the young season but still managed 30 saves.

On Friday night, the Steel returned home to battle the Lincoln Stars at the Edge Ice Arena. Once again special teams played a big part in the game as the Stars went 2-4 with the man-advantage and defeated the Steel at home, 4-3. The Steel did manage a power play tally of their own, going 1-6 on the power play. Steel netminder Shane Connelly (Cheltenham, PA) gave up all four goals and was pulled in the second period in favor of Sauer. Sauer shut down the vaulted Stars offense but Star goalie Jordan Pearce wouldn't let anything behind him despite a fury of action with under a minute to go in the game.

Saturday night saw a different Steel team show up. This team was willing to battle to the death for a win. With the new divisional foe, the Des Moines Buccaneers, in town, the players knew they needed the two points. The Steel struck first four minutes into the game when Chris Clackson (Pittsburgh, PA) found the back of the net. The Steel would strike again early in the second, when Steel rookie Sami Liimatainen (Riverside, IL) would pick up a loose puck and, with the patience of a seasoned veteran, out wait the Bucs goalie and wrist a shot past the overmatched goalie for his first career USHL goal. Assists were credited to C. Clackson and TJ Fox (Oswego, NY). The Bucs would score the next two goals to tie the score at two after 2 periods. The final stanza was a show of what these boys are made of, true grit. Despite being out shot 16-10 for the period and 49-37 for the game, David Marshall (Buffalo, MN) pounded home a loose puck to give the Steel the lead. Net minder Connelly closed the door and the Steel captured their first home win of the season, 3-2.

The STEEL and Cedar Rapids will play a home-and-home series this weekend with the Friday game held at the Edge Ice Arena. Friday is also KID'S Night. All kids get into the game for $1!!!

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2004


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