Steel Claw Back for 4-3 Sunday Win over Phantoms
December 16, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - The Chicago Steel scored three unanswered goals in the second period on their way to a 4-3 win Sunday afternoon over the Youngstown Phantoms at Covelli Centre, capturing two of the three weekend series games against the conference rival. The Steel enter the holiday break having won 11 of their last 13 games.
Nine different Steel players picked up a point in the win and Chicago (15-9-1-0, 31 pts.) goaltender Reilly Herbst made 23 saves for his fifth-straight victory.
The day began inauspiciously for the Steel as Youngstown (10-11-0-3, 23 pts.) scored two goals in a span of 2:35 in the first half of the first period. The first goal came on the powerplay off the stick of Liam Robertson at the 6:23 mark before John Larkin scored his first of the season to put Chicago in an early 2-0 hole.
The Phantoms had a chance to extend their lead even further with 1:33 of five-on-three powerplay time with less than seven minutes to play in the first period. Herbst came away with a series of big saves, and with the help of the defense, killed off the Youngstown opportunity.
Chicago used the penalty kill momentum to cut the lead in half with 39 seconds remaining in the period as right wing Mathieu De St. Phalle finished off a beautiful setup pass from center Adam Robbins. The Wisconsin commit De St. Phalle collected the feed and beat Youngstown goaltender Christian Stoever with a forehand-backhand move before roofing the puck over the netminder.
Youngstown continued to showcase its prowess on the man advantage, building a two-goal lead for the second time in the game with a powerplay goal from Brett Murray 2:50 into the second period.
The Steel answered back 36 seconds later. After right wing Neil Shea sent a big one-time slap shot at Stoever, Sarlo skated in the slot and sent the rebound past the sprawling goaltender to cut the lead to 3-2.
Chicago continued the momentum as right wing Ryan Doolin tied the game at the 13:52 mark. The forward carried the puck into the zone and eventually ended up at the front of the net where he tipped home a point shot from De St. Phalle.
The Steel took their first lead of the game when Robbins hammered home the eventual game-winner on the powerplay with 3:43 to play in the second. After defenseman John Spetz sent a shot towards Stoever from the high slot, Robbins whacked at the puck in the crease until it found its way into the net as Robbins was hauled to the ice.
Youngstown outshot the Steel 26-21 and had nine chances on the powerplay to just five for Chicago. The Phantoms had one last powerplay opportunity in the last two minutes of the game, but Herbst and the Steel were able to kill off a 6-on-4 scenario when Stoever was pulled for an extra attacker.
With the victory, the Steel improved their record away from home to 10-3-1-0 this season. The Steel will face Youngstown three more times this season, all at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva.
The Steel are back in front of the home crowd on Saturday, December 29 when they take on Team USA U-17 in a 7:05 p.m. faceoff. The first 500 fans at the game will receive a Jurassic Rusty Bobblehead Doll and fans are encouraged to stick around after the game to Skate with the Steel.
Tickets for all Steel home games are on sale now starting at just $10 and stadium seating on the glass is available for just $20. Parking is always free. The Steel offer discounted tickets for groups and are offering a special Holiday Pack, which includes three games and four gifts for just $40.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2018
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- Saints Gaber Announces Commitment to North Dakota - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Phantoms Can't Save the Victory - Youngstown Phantoms
- Steel Claw Back for 4-3 Sunday Win over Phantoms - Chicago Steel
- Gameday Preview: Storm Look for Bounce Back Win against Fargo - Tri-City Storm
- Fourth Straight a Miestone - Waterloo Black Hawks
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