Steel Grind out 2-1 Victory over Lancers
December 9, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from forwards Christian Sarlo and Mathieu De St. Phalle and held off a late Omaha rush in the final minutes to beat the Lancers 2-1 Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Chicago (13-8-1-0, 27 pts.) was backed by a 26-save performance by goaltender Reilly Herbst.
Omaha (6-13-0-2, 14 pts.) scored with 2:32 to play in regulation, but the Steel were able to stave off several chances in the final minute to secure the victory.
Chicago opened the scoring when Sarlo netted his fifth goal in 10 games played this season. The play started with center Nick Abruzzese circling the zone before he dropped to defenseman Matteo Pietroniro who sent a point shot toward Omaha goaltender Akira Schmid. The New Jersey Devils prospect saved the initial shot but Sarlo was perched at the side of the net and chipped the puck up and over Schmid at the 5:42 mark.
With the assist, Abruzzese extended his point, and assist, streak to eight games (3-9-12). The eight-game assist streak is the second longest in the USHL this season.
The Steel doubled down on the lead 3:42 into the second period when De St. Phalle scored against his former team. The Wisconsin commit crashed the net with center Jake Schmaltz and it was De St. Phalle who got the final touch on it as it trickled over Schmid's goal line.
The lead stayed 2-0 until late in the third, when shortly after an Omaha timeout, the Lancers shrunk the lead by one when Ryan Savage was able to beat Herbst, redirecting a shot from the point over the goaltender's left shoulder.
Chicago shut down the Omaha rush for the remainder of the game to hold on to the 2-1 win.
The Steel will play a three-game series next weekend as the team travels to Youngstown for Friday, Saturday and Sunday road contests. The team is back in front of the home crowd on Saturday, December 29 when they take on Team USA U-17 in a 7:05 p.m. faceoff. The first 500 fans at the game will receive a Jurassic Rusty Bobblehead Doll and fans are encouraged to stick around after the game to Skate with the Steel.
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.
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United States Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2018
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