Steel Fall To Cedar Rapids 7-3 Sunday
January 26, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Cedar Rapids scored three consecutive third period goals within a span of two and a half minutes to extend a 3-2 lead as the Chicago Steel (27-6-1-0, 55 pts) dropped a 7-3 decision against the RoughRiders (14-17-3-1, 32 pts) at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Cedar Rapids swept the two-game weekend set handing Chicago its first back-to-back regulation blemishes thus far in the season. Tyler Carpenter, Eric Middendorf and Owen Power scored goals for the Steel.
Despite the Steel controlling the puck during the early part of the first period, it was the RoughRiders who jumped out to a two-goal advantage in the opening frame.
Jack Millar re-directed a Jackson Jutting pass to beat Chicago netminder Ian Shane on a power play followed by Nikolai Mayorov reaching the back of the net for the first of his two goals on the evening just over five minutes into the game.
The Steel got back into the matchup when Carpenter pounced on a rebound off the stick of John Spetz to beat Cedar Rapids netminder Aidan Harper, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The second period took more of a defensive tone with no goals coming until the final six minutes of the frame. Jordan Tonelli tallied his second goal of the season to extend the Cedar Rapids lead to 3-1 before the Steel answered three minutes later.
Middendorf lit the lamp when he was able to clean up his own rebound, tucking home his eighth marker of the year.
The back-breaker from Cedar Rapids came early in the third period in the form of the three consecutive RoughRider goals. Tyler Rollwagen, Nate Hanley and Mayorov each reached the back of the net, breaking the game open to a 6-2 lead for the visitors.
Power scored on a wrister halfway through the third for Chicago before Jack O'Leary scored the seventh and final Cedar Rapids goal.
Even though the team was unable to come from behind this weekend, Steel forward Carpenter knows what the team can be.
"We know we can win, we just have to get back to the process and just get back to what brought us success early on," said Carpenter.
Ian Shane made 26 saves in the loss as Harper turned away 22 shots to earn his second consecutive win for Cedar Rapids.
"I thought we started the game well, they pushed back hard and I just thought that we didn't work consistently," said Steel Head Coach Brock Sheahan. "We got away from a lot of our habits and details. We'll go into next week for practice and get better like we always do."
The Steel look to rebound when they kick off a two-game home weekend starting on Fri., Jan. 31 against the Madison Capitols and finishing with a matchup against the Des Moines Buccaneers on Sat., Feb. 1.
Friday's contest is A Night for Geneva Students presented by FONA International, with the Steel in alternate black jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game to benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation.
Saturday's contest is the return of the fan-favorite Star Wars Night with a chance for fans to meet their favorite Star Wars characters. It's also a Raising Cane's Kids Day with a $10 deal for kids 12 and under which includes a Red Zone ticket, Steel drawstring backpack and free Raising Cane's Kids Combo card.
Chicago Steel games may be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (VIDEO).
Chicago Steel Upcoming Games:
Fri., Jan. 31 vs. Madison Capitols 7:05 pm (A Night for Geneva Students presented by FONA International, Jersey Auction to benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation)
Sat., Feb. 1 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers 7:05 pm (Star Wars Night , Raising Cane's Kids Day)
Fri., Feb. 7 at Green Bay Gamblers 7:05 pm
For more information and to purchase Steel tickets, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2020
- Musketeers Split the Weekend - Sioux City Musketeers
- Green Bay Blanks Phantoms 3-0 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Steel Fall To Cedar Rapids 7-3 Sunday - Chicago Steel
- Storm Win Back to Back Games in 5-2 Defeat of Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- Preview: Storm Battle Lancers in Rivalry Game at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm
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