Steel Drop Regular Season Finale 4-1
April 13, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, IL - Muskegon got out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period, and Chicago scored 20 seconds later to get within a goal, but the road team stayed in front as the Steel (27-28-3-4, 61 pts.) fell to the Lumberjacks (38-22-1-1, 78 pts.) 4-1 at Fox Valley Ice Arena Saturday night.
Muskegon's win paired with a shootout loss by the Green Bay Gamblers moved the Lumberjacks into the #2 seed in the East, setting up a best-of-three series First Round series between #6 Chicago and #3 Green Bay, all at the Resch Center in Wisconsin starting Monday, April 15 at 7:05 pm CDT.
Anthony Cardilli scored the lone goal for the Steel in the loss, with Lukas Sawchyn adding the only assist on the goal.
Goaltender Wesley Jefferson-Swint II made 20 saves in the loss.
Muskegon swept the season series with Chicago, winning all seven matchups.
With Chicago's lineup featuring several affiliate players, the Lumberjacks made good use of the mismatch in USHL experience, scoring first on David Klee's 15th goal of the season in the first period.
Just 21 seconds into the second period, Justin Solovey notched his 25th goal of the year to move Muskegon to a 2-0 lead.
Chicago offered a quick response, as Cardilli found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the year to bring the Steel to within one.
The Lumberjacks scored a crucial goal on the heels of a penalty kill with just eight seconds remaining in the second period on a breakaway score from Matvei Gridin to make it 3-1 heading to the third.
Teddy Spitznagel put the finishing touches on Muskegon's win with his third goal of the year late in the final frame to complete a 4-1 win for the Lumberjacks.
#6 Chicago will travel to #3 Green Bay for the best-of-three First Round of the Clark Cup Playoffs with Game 1 scheduled for Monday, April 15 at 7:05 pm CDT. All games will be played at the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI. The Steel are 6-2-0-1 against Green Bay this season and are 4-1-0-0 on the road. The winner of the series will meet #2 Muskegon in the best-of-five Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Should Chicago advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, ticket information will be announced quickly after the series with tickets 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.
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