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USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Delight Home Crowd on Teddy Bear Toss Night

January 19, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Tension grew as fans had to wait more than 30 minutes to throw their teddy bears onto the ice during the Chicago Steel's fourth-annual Teddy Bear Toss night, presented by Geneva Family Dental, but when center Nick Abruzzese scored, fans flooded the ice with more than 500 stuffed animals Saturday night in front of 1,551 fans at Fox Valley Ice Arena. The Steel (21-12-1-0, 43 pts.) netted four goals in the third period to win their 10th-straight game at home in the first matchup of the season against the Sioux City Musketeers (18-11-5-0, 41 pts.).

A night after earning his second career shutout, goalie Justin Robbins stopped 28 of 29 shots to earn his 15th victory of the season.

After a scoreless first period that saw both teams kill off powerplay chances, Abruzzese opened the game's scoring with 5:22 to play in the second period. The Harvard commit finished off a cross-rink pass from right wing Mathieu De St. Phalle for his team-leading 14th goal. Abruzzese has 43 points this season, tied for fourth most in the USHL.

After a checking from behind penalty put Chicago on a five-minute powerplay early in the third period, the Steel were able to capitalize with a pair of goals. Travis Treloar made it 2-0, firing a one-time laser past the glove of Sioux City goaltender Ben Kraws after receiving a drop pass from center Adam Robbins.

Chicago struck again on the extended powerplay, this time off the stick of left wing Gunnarwolfe Fontaine. After defenseman Matteo Pietroniro made a great play to keep the puck in the zone, Fontaine finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play with Robbins and left wing Robert Mastrosimone. The goal was Fontaine's second in as many nights and fifth in the last four games.

The Musketeers cut the Steel lead to 3-1 with 7:49 to play in the game as forward Viljami Nieminen scored his third goal of the season.

Chicago put the exclamation point on the win with a pair of goals in the final five minutes as center Cole Quisenberry backhanded an empty net goal from behind center ice and then assisted on a beautiful strike from left wing Josh Groll.

The Steel held the Musketeers to 0-4 on the powerplay despite Sioux City entering the game with the third best powerplay unit in the league. Chicago scored twice with the man-advantage.

The Steel close out the holiday weekend with a 1 p.m. CT puck drop Monday afternoon at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. for a meeting with Team USA U-17. The team then returns to the Fox Valley Ice Arena for a pair of weekend games against the defending Clark Cup Champion Fargo Force on Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27. Saturday, Jan. 26 is Game of Thrones Night, celebrating the matchup between the last two Clark Cup Champions. It's also a Raising Cane's Kids Day with a $10 deal for kids that includes a Red Zone ticket, Steel drawstring backpack and free Raising Cane's kids combo card. Sunday, Jan. 27 is a Steel Family Pack game on Trains, Trains, Trains day presented by Wausau Homes North Aurora. The Steel Family Pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and four chuck-a-pucks starting at just $48. The Steel Family Pack must be purchased in advance.

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 January 19, 2019


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