Steel Offense Explodes in 7-2 Victory over Madison
Published on April 1, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Steel (34-12-7-1; 76 pts.) came out flying against the Madison Capitols (26-27-2-0; 54 pts.), scoring four goals in the first eight minutes of action before expanding the lead for a 7-2 win at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday night.
Steel skaters took the ice wearing specially designed helmets for 'Crazy Hat Night' with helmets painted by Waubonsee Community College art students.
The one-of-a-kind game-worn works of art are available for auction until Thursday, April 7 at 6:00 pm CT by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3iVQJb5.
Perhaps inspired by the works of art, the line of Zam Plante, Jack Harvey and Nick Moldenhauer gracefully painted the 200' x 85' Fox Valley canvas, accounting for four of the seven goals as Sam Lipkin, Chris Able and Jayden Perron added markers of their own.
Steel goaltender Gibson Homer made 31 saves in his 15th performance this season allowing two or fewer goals.
A seeing-eye pass led to the game's first goal, an early strike from Zam Plante. Just over three minutes into the action, Nick Moldenhauer drew two defenders near the Capitols crease before directing a puck through traffic to Plante who was all alone in front of Madison netminder Simon Latkoczy. Plante hammered a point-blank shot blocker-side to put the Steel ahead 1-0.
On the ensuing shift, Moldenhauer was rewarded for more hard work in the Steel offensive zone. With Jack Harvey winning a puck battle behind the net, his pass found Moldenhauer in front of the crease for his 16th marker of the season.
Sam Lipkin reached the 30-goal plateau just two minutes later, putting the Steel ahead 3-0 early in the first. After Andon Cerbone forced a turnover, keeping the puck in the Steel offensive zone, Chris Delaney rushed the net before sending a cross-crease pass to Lipkin who connected with one touch.
Libertyville, Ill., native Chris Able notched the second goal of his rookie season to give Chicago a four-goal cushion before the midway point of the opening frame. Once again working hard in the offensive zone, Zam Plante battled for the puck and poked it to Able who was cutting to the net from the right corner. Able flipped a quick backhander that beat Latkoczy and resulted in Madison netminder Mason Kucenski entering the game in relief.
The Capitols briefly took the momentum from the Steel with the first two goals of the second period.
After holding the Steel at bay for the first half of the frame, Jake Dunlap raced in on a partial breakaway, solving Homer for the first Madison goal of the game.
Reid Pabich cut the deficit to 4-2, his 16th goal of the year and fourth against the Steel this season.
The celebration was short-lived for the Capitols as Steel rookie Jayden Perron cut to the middle of the ice just two minutes later, letting go a wrister that sizzled past Kucenski for Perron's 13th goal of the season.
Jack Harvey finished the second period with another quick strike, moments after Perron's marker. With an offensive rush, Harvey, Moldenhauer and Zam Plante crossed up the Madison defense with a beautiful passing sequence, leaving Harvey with an open shot on the right side of the crease for his first goal of the night.
Harvey opened the final frame by pouncing on a net-front scramble during a Steel power play, extending the lead to 7-2 less than a minute into the period.
Chicago's magic number is now five to clinch a First Round bye in the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs. Chicago and Madison rematch on Saturday, April 2 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena in Wisconsin with a 7:05 pm CT start time.
The next chance for Steel fans to see the team on home ice is on Friday, April 8 for Pucks and Pups! Bring Your Dog to the Game presented by PetSuites and Saturday, April 9 for Board Game Night presented by TopShelf Sports Cards and a Rusty Chess Piece Giveaway for the first 500 fans. Following Saturday's game, fans are invited to join in a postgame skate.
Steel single-game tickets start at just $10 and are available in person at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at chicagosteelhockeyteam.com.
The Steel offer single-game ticket discounts for kids 12 and under and military.
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). For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
Chicago Steel Upcoming Home Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, April 8 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Pucks and Pups - Bring Your Dog to the Game! presented by PetSuites
Saturday, April 9 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Board Game Night presented by TopShelf Sports Cards | GIVEAWAY - Rusty Chess Piece courtesy of 95.9 The River | Post-game skate
Friday, April 22 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) Fan Appreciation Night presented by Smithfield
United States Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2022
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