USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Head West for Pair of Matchups

Published on February 8, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel hit the road this weekend to face the Omaha Lancers and Des Moines Buccaneers for their only Western Conference road matchups of the season.

The Steel (24-12-2-1; 51 pts) faceoff against the Omaha Lancers (12-20-4-2; 30 pts) at Liberty First Credit Union Arena on Friday, Feb. 10 for a 7:05 p.m. CT puck drop. On Saturday night, the Steel travel to Des Moines to battle the Buccaneers (13-17-5-3; 34 pts) at Buccaneer Arena with puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

Chicago is coming off a pair of wins against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Friday, the Steel were victorious on the road with a 6-2 victory. Saturday, Chicago returned home for an exciting 5-3 win. Steel goaltender Jack Stark made his first start on Saturday since Dec. 28, stopping 29 shots to earn his 11th victory in 13 starts this season.

The pair of wins snapped a three-game slide for Chicago which was buoyed by strong offensive performances.

Steel forwards Quinn Finley (2G, 2A) and Zam Plante each had four points (1G, 3A) in the two games and Macklin Celebrini, Jack Harvey, Jayden Perron and Mick Thompson all had multiple-point weekends.

Michael Emerson enters this weekend on both a three-game point and goal streak with five points (3G, 2A) over that stretch. Anthony Dowd is also on a three-game point streak with three points (1G, 2A) in those contests.

Friday is the first and only scheduled meeting of the regular season between the Steel and the Lancers. The Steel hold an all-time record of 15-25-3-2 against Omaha, and a road record of 6-14-2-0.

The Lancers tough penalty kill could be a challenge for the Steel's league-leading power play. At home, the Lancers have an 89.2% success rate (83-for-93) on the penalty kill. The Steel power play, however, thrives on the road with a 31.9% success rate (22-for-69).

Omaha was led offensively by Alex Bump, however Bump was traded to the Tri-City Storm in exchange for forward Haden Kruse, a 2023 Phase II 2nd Round draft pick, a 2024 Phase II 2nd Round draft pick, a 2024 Phase I 4th Round draft pick, a 2023 Phase I 5th Round draft pick, a 2024 Phase II 5th Round draft pick, a 2023 Phase II 6th Round draft pick, and future considerations.

Following the trade, Omaha is now led offensively by Griffin Jurecki. Jurecki, a five-foot-ten, 182 lbs. University of Denver commit, leads the team in points with 19 (9G, 10A). In his last five games played, Jurecki has 4 points (2G, 2A).

Saturday's meeting between the Steel and the Buccaneers will be the second of two scheduled regular season matchups between the two teams. The Steel hold an all-time record of 41-24-2-4 against the Buccaneers, and a road record of 18-15-2-1.

In their last matchup on Jan. 21 at Fox Valley Ice Arena, the Steel came out on top with a hard-fought a 3-2 win. Steel goaltender Miles Roberts recorded a career high 31 saves in the contest to earn his first USHL win. Macklin Celebrini scored the game-winning goal to break a 2-2 tie early in the third period, and defenseman Anthony Dowd had a pair of assists in the victory.

Des Moines is led offensively by Jak Vaarwerk with 26 points (7G, 19A). Vaarwerk, a five-foot-eleven, 176 lbs. East Amherst, New York native is currently committed to University of Massachusetts-Lowell. In his last ten games played, Vaarwerk has 7 points (2G, 5A).

Following the two road games, the Steel will return home for a three-game holiday weekend Feb. 17 through Feb. 19.

On Friday, Feb. 17, the Steel will host a Slumberland Slumber Party as they battle the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 7:05 p.m. CT.

Saturday, Feb. 18 is Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring appearances from Stanley Cup Champion Brian Campbell and Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk. The Steel host USA Hockey NTDP (U17) at 7:05 p.m CT.

Chicago Steel hockey is presented by River Front Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram.

The Steel cap off the holiday weekend on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a 3:05 p.m CT. puck drop against USA for a Steel Card Set Giveaway (part 1 of 2) presented by Top Shelf Sports Cards. Feb. 19 also marks a Slumberland Family Pack Game with a special deal for families, and after the game, fans can participate in Full Team Post-Game Autographs.

Tickets for all Steel home games start at just $10 and are available by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours.

All Chicago Steel tickets are digital and available on mobile devices. Fans should create their profile online. For more information on digital tickets for the Chicago Steel, click here. Fans attending Steel home games this season are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the arena to avoid any delays on game night.

Season ticket plans starting at 5 games for just $50 and group tickets and experiences are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL or emailing info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Friday, February 10 at Omaha Lancers (7:05 p.m. CT)

Saturday, February 11 at Des Moines Buccaneers (6:00 p.m. CT)

Friday, February 17 vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 p.m. CT) Slumberland Slumber Party

Check out the Chicago Steel Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2023


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