Steel Drop Weekend Opener
November 14, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Yushiroh Hirano scored two goals as the Youngstown Phantoms (7-5-1-0, 15 points) defeated the Chicago Steel (4-9-1-1, 10 points) 4-1 Saturday at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Grant Gabriele scored his second goal for the Steel and his third of the season. Chicago goaltender John Lethemon tied a season-high with 31 saves in the loss.
Youngstown struck first after taking advantage of the first power play of the game. Yushiroh Hirano found space just in front of the blue line after receiving a pass from Vas Kolias. Hirano took a hard slap shot that beat a screened Lethemon glove side at 7:21. It took the Steel just 37 seconds to find an answer as trailing defenseman Grant Gabriele joined the rush and gathered a loose puck 10 feet in front of the net and beat Ryan Bednard glove side to even the game 1-1.
The Phantoms took the lead late in the second period, scoring on a three-on-two rush. Chase Pearson led the counter attack and found Cameron Morrison alone in front of the net. The Steel netminder was caught leaning toward the near post and Morrison slid the puck past Lethemon's skate for what would prove to be the game-winner.
Youngstown took control of the game in the third. Hirano scored on a wrist shot from a Morrison pass at the 13:36 mark. Three minutes later, Tyler Drevich's blocked shot was gathered by James Winkler and knocked home stick-side to increase the lead to three and put the game away.
After being outshot 15-5 in the first period, Chicago put 21 shots on net to Youngstown's 20 over the final two periods. Ryan Bernard made 25 saves on the night for the Phantoms. Morrison and Hirano combined for four points in the contest.
The Steel complete their weekend set at Fox Valley Ice Arena with the Phantoms on Sunday November 15 at 3 p.m. The first 500 kids in attendance will receive a Steel team poster, and after the game there will be an autograph session with the entire team. It's also a Steel Family Pack game, with a package of four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and four chuck-a-pucks starting at just $59. For more details or to purchase tickets, call 855-51-STEEL, visit the box office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena or check us out online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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