Steel Knocked Off By Buccaneers Saturday
February 21, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
DES MOINES, IOWA - Des Moines captain Patrick Grasso registered a natural hat trick Saturday to lead the Buccaneers (19-22-2-0, 40 points) to a 4-2 win over the Chicago Steel (19-19-4-3, 45 points) at Buccaneer Arena. The Steel were limited to single-digit shot outputs in each period, and were outshot 37-23 in the game.
In a very physical first period, the Buccaneers gained a 2-0 lead thanks to two goals from Grasso. The first tally, scored at 8:20, came on a rebound at the side of the crease jammed past Chicago netminder Daniel Vladar. Later in the period, Grasso immediately gained possession off a left circle faceoff win by Kenny Hausinger. Grasso fired a wrist shot through traffic and over the left shoulder of Vladar with 43 seconds remaining in the period, sending Des Moines into the break up by a pair of goals while also leading in shots, 17-8.
Just nine seconds into the second period, Grasso completed the hat trick, surprising Vladar with a shorthanded wrist shot from inside the left circle. Chicago picked up the pace as the period progressed, lighting the lamp at the 12:07 mark thanks to a power play goal from defenseman Matt Kiersted. Kiersted walked into the offensive zone and released a wrist shot from the high slot over the shoulder of Des Moines goaltender Nick MacNab. Less than three minutes later, Max Zimmer made it a one-goal game, snapping a shot from the slot past the MacNab's glove at 14:54. Chicago outshot the Buccaneers 9-7 in the second period, trailing 3-2 after 40 minutes of play.
But Chicago was unable to complete the comeback. Buccaneers center Will Harrison tallied the lone goal of the third period. Chandler Linstrand's shot was slowed down by Vladar, but as the puck slowly rolled in the crease behind the netminder, Harrison was able to jam the puck home to secure a 4-2 victory for Des Moines.
The Steel were limited to six shots on goal in the third period. MacNab recorded the win with 20 saves for the Buccaneers, while Vladar stopped 31 shots for Chicago.
Chicago returns to Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday, Feb. 26 as they host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 7:30 p.m. The Steel will celebrate mascot Rusty's birthday with a visit from Chicagoland mascots and a special intermission mascot game. Plus, it's a Steel Family Pack game with four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and four chuck-a-pucks starting at just $59. Tickets are available at the box office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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