Steel Fans to Return; 25% Capacity Announced
March 19, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL) - Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel announced Friday the return of fans at 25% capacity to Fox Valley Ice Arena for Chicago Steel games beginning with the team's scheduled home game on Friday, March 26 when the Steel host the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05 pm CT.
On Thursday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced updated guidance for indoor spectator events to operate at 25% capacity.
"Our home ice advantage is back," said Steel President Dan Lehv. "We cannot wait to welcome our fans back to Fox Valley Ice Arena.
"We'd like to thank Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Development, and state and local health authorities with whom we've worked closely throughout each phase of the Restore Illinois plan. We appreciate the patience of all of our fans, particularly our season ticket holders, in waiting for this moment, and we have spent the last year preparing for their return knowing that the health and safety of our fans, players and staff, are our number one priority."
Under the 25% capacity guidance, the Steel will have the ability to welcome between 600-650 fans per game based on a seating chart that groups fans in "pods" in order to allow for social distancing between spectator groups.
Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, March 23 at 10 am for the eight scheduled remaining regular season home games starting March 26. For the remainder of this unique season, tickets will be offered at two price points, $15 for Blue Zone seats and $10 for Red Zone seats according to a modified seating chart for the remainder of the 2020-2021 regular season.
Steel season ticket holders and corporate partners will be able to purchase tickets to the games of their choice starting Monday, March 22 at 10 am as part of an exclusive eight-hour pre-sale.
Fans may purchase tickets by calling 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Steel Box Office which will be open on all home game days starting at 10 am.
All spectators are expected to adhere to protocols for the safety of fans, players and staff including temperature checks upon arrival at Fox Valley Ice Arena, the wearing of masks over both nose and mouth at all times (unless actively eating or drinking in one's seat) and maintaining social distance from other spectator groups and arena staff.
Limited suite and Budweiser Lounge seating will be available for groups within the same household and must be purchased directly through the Steel Box Office at 855-51-STEEL.
A limited concessions menu will be available at the snack bar in the main lobby during home games.
The Steel vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints game this Saturday, March 20, will take place at the previous Phase 4 capacity limit and, as such, tickets will not be made available to the general public.
This season, the Steel stand in first place atop the USHL and Eastern Conference standings with a 27-10-3-1 (58 pts.) record. The top four point-getters in the USHL all play for Chicago; Sean Farrell (24G, 50A), Matt Coronato (36G, 31A), Erik Middendorf (24G, 31A) and Josh Doan (22G, 30A).
Chicago's remaining schedule includes eight home games through the conclusion of the regular season on Saturday, April 24 with a 7:05 pm CT puck drop against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
Steel fans last enjoyed a game at Fox Valley Ice Arena on March 7, 2020 when Chicago defeated the Dubuque Fighting Saints in a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory when Matty De St. Phalle netted the game winner in the extra frame. The victory sealed the club's second 13-game win streak of the 2019-2020 season. After the cancellation of the remainder of the regular season and Clark Cup Playoffs, the 2019-2020 Steel were awarded the first Anderson Cup as regular season champions in franchise history.
The Steel can become the first team in the USHL to clinch a berth in the 2021 Clark Cup Playoffs if the club sweeps the two-game set against the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Friday, March 19 & Saturday, March 20 and Dubuque loses to the Green Bay Gamblers on Sunday, March 21.
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 (STREAM).
Chicago Steel Upcoming Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, March 19 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, March 20 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics
Friday, March 26 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) presented by Waubonsee Community College
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2021
- Overtime at the Ice Box - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Buccaneers Sink Lancers in Season Series Finale, 3-2 - Omaha Lancers
- Steel Dominate Third for 7-3 Win over Dubuque - Chicago Steel
- Stampede Drop 4-3 Loss to Tri-City Storm - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Balanced Effort Fuels Musketeer Rally over Fargo - Sioux City Musketeers
- Gameday Preview: vs. Waterloo - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Battle Stampede at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm
- Mikesch Named Head Coach for All-American Game - Green Bay Gamblers
- Mason Lohrei Breaks Record - Green Bay Gamblers
- Steel Fans to Return; 25% Capacity Announced - Chicago Steel
- Stampede Sunday, April 18 Game Rescheduled - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Week 20 Preview - Fargo Force
- Broz Peart and Lamoureux Selected for BioSteel All-American Game - Fargo Force
- Musketeers Announce Change to Schedule - Sioux City Musketeers
- Season Ticket Renewals Set - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Weekend Preview: Fargo - Sioux City Musketeers
- Storm Defeat Black Hawks 5-3 - Tri-City Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
