Steel Players to Wear Uniquely Designed Helmets Friday
Published on March 30, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - When the playoff-bound Chicago Steel (33-12-7-1; 74 pts.) face off against the Madison Capitols (26-26-2-0; 54 pts.) on Friday, April 1 at Fox Valley Ice Arena, fans will notice an unusual change to the Steel uniforms.
It's no April Fools joke - spectators will be treated to an eye-popping display of creativity on Steel players' helmets for Crazy Hat Night with a special helmet auction presented by Waubonsee Community College.
Waubonsee Community College art students individually created helmets for each of the 20 Steel skaters who will participate in Friday night's game.
Deviating from the standard black helmets with a Steel crest on each side, some of the artistic influences include a 'Hulk Smash' helmet, a helmet designed to look like the inside of a brain, a festive 'Dia De Los Muertos' design and even a helmet design resembling a mushroom from Super Mario Bros.
The game-worn works of art will be signed by the Steel players who wears it and auctioned off online with proceeds benefitting the Waubonsee Community College Foundation.
The auction will begin at 4:00 pm CT on Friday, April 1 and run through 6:00 pm CT Thursday, April 7. Fans may bid on the helmets at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
"It's an honor for Waubonsee Community College Foundation to partner with the Chicago Steel Hockey team to make dreams come alive for our students," said Dr. Melinda Tejada, Vice President of Student Development and Executive Director of the Waubonsee Foundation. "We believe that when a young person or adult who otherwise may never be able to attend college is given a chance and supported financially through our scholarship program, they will do great things, and the dividends will be felt in generations to follow. What an awesome way to show support, enjoy the game, and know that each ticket purchased builds families and strengthens communities. Thank you, Chicago Steel!"
This will be the second time the Steel have held Crazy Hat Night after the team's first event on Nov. 30, 2018.
Chicago clinched a berth in the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs with a 5-1 win against the Youngstown Phantoms on March 24 at Fox Valley Ice Arena before returning to action against the second-place team in the East, the Dubuque Fighting Saints, on March 26, engaging in a thrilling game that saw both teams chart sequences of four consecutive goals as Steel co-captain Sam Lipkin scored with 30 seconds remaining to earn a 6-5 victory. With the win, Head Coach Brock Sheahan became the winningest head coach in franchise history with his 101st victory behind the Steel bench.
Chicago blueliner Cal Thomas earned his first USHL Player of the Week honor with two assists in each win. Since being acquired on Feb. 4 by the Steel, Thomas has totaled eight helpers over 17 games played.
The Madison Capitols (26-26-2-0; 54 pts.) enter the two-game weekend series against Chicago in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a five-point edge on Cedar Rapids and Team USA who share sixth place with 49 points each. The top six teams in each conference earn playoff bids as Madison, Cedar Rapids, Team USA and Green Bay (47 pts.) all sit within seven points of each other and all teams involved have at least eight games remaining on the regular season schedule.
The Steel have posted a 5-2-1-0 record in eight matchups during the regular season against the Capitols with the contests on Friday, April 1 at Fox Valley Ice Arena and Saturday, April 2 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena in Wisconsin rounding out the 10-game regular-season series.
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.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
Chicago Steel Upcoming Home Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, April 1 vs. Madison (7:05 pm CT) Crazy Hat Night with Special Helmet Auction presented by Waubonsee Community College
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
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- Steel Players to Wear Uniquely Designed Helmets Friday - Chicago Steel
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