Steel Pull Away from Muskegon to Win 4-1
Published on October 16, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN -- The Chicago Steel (6-0-2-0; 14 pts.) scored the final four goals of the game on Saturday to earn a 4-1 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks (1-3-1-1; 4 pts.) at Mercy Health Arena in Michigan to extend Chicago's season-opening points streak to eight games.
A night after the Steel gave up the most shots on goal (52) to an opponent since April 2015, it was the team's defensive effort which set the tone on Saturday.
Steel netminder Nick Haas made 26 saves in net as Jack Harvey, Anthony Dowd, Sam Lipkin and Jackson Blake poured in goals for Chicago in the weekend finale against the Lumberjacks.
The Steel had a chance to open the night's scoring midway through the first on the man advantage but could not take advantage. Despite great puck movement, Muskegon kept the net clean, blocking a shot to finish off the first sign of danger for the home team.
Tyler Hotson showed tremendous hand- eye coordination when he lit the lamp for Muskegon's first goal late in the opening frame. Anthony Cliché threw a puck to the right circle where Hotson got his stick on it and deflected it past Steel netminder Nick Haas for his second goal of the season.
Muskegon took a one-goal lead into the second with a chance to jump in front even further with back-to-back penalties whistled on the Steel. The Lumberjacks spent four out of the first five minutes and change of the second period with a man advantage but could not capitalize.
After the strong performance on the penalty kill, Chicago's power play rose to the occasion.
Forward Michael Emerson drew a hooking call and the Steel used quick puck movement to strike for their first of the game. Jayden Perron found Adam Fantilli with a cross-ice pass before Fantilli sent a centering pass towards Jack Harvey. Harvey guided the puck past Muskegon goaltender Carson Limesand, tallying his third goal of the weekend.
On a power play just five minutes into the period, Chicago took the lead for good. More strong puck movement, this time from Jake Livanavage and Lipkin, opened up a lane for Anthony Dowd to blast home a slapshot from the right circle, giving Chicago a 2-1 edge.
Midway through the final frame, the Steel extended the lead to 3-1, taking control of the weekend finale. Andon Cerbone worked the puck along the boards in the neutral zone, finding Joe Miller at the blue line. Miller dished the puck to Lipkin who let go a wrister, using a Lumberjacks defender as a screen, to beat Limesand for his fifth goal of the season.
Following an unsuccessful 5-on-3 Chicago power play, the Lumberjacks started to test Haas for the first time in the third, halfway through the period. Haas was equal to the task, stopping all seven shots in the third to give him 26 saves on the night.
The Steel sealed the victory with an empty-net tally from the USHL leader in points, Jackson Blake. The Carolina Hurricanes prospect flipped a puck from his own blue line into the empty cage, giving Chicago a comfortable 4-1 cushion.
Following the victory, Chicago now has the top three point-getters in the USHL with Blake (6G, 9A), Adam Fantilli (5G, 8A) and Lipkin (5G, 6A) topping the league scoring list.
Chicago earned three out of a possible four points on the weekend and travel to Green Bay on Friday, October 22 for a matchup against the Green Bay Gamblers, the first clash between the teams this season.
The next Steel home game is Saturday October 23 for "19 Promotions We Missed in 2020" and the first Family Pack Game of the season, a special ticket offer that includes four tickets, four regular hot dogs, four chips, four sodas/waters and four chuck-a-pucks for just $50.
Steel games can 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:
Saturday, October 23 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) 19 Promotions We Missed in 2020 | Family Pack Game
Friday, November 5 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Hockey Is For Everyone
Saturday, November 6 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) Top Gun Night | GIVEAWAY - Steel Aviator Sunglasses (First 500 fans)
United States Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2021
- Fighting Saints' Late Lead Erased; Dubquue Falls in OT - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Veterans Lead Winning Rally - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Late Offensive Burst for Omaha Not Enough to Knock off the Musketeers - Omaha Lancers
- Steel Pull Away from Muskegon to Win 4-1 - Chicago Steel
- Capitols Get Offensive and Route U17s in Series Finale - Madison Capitols
- Lumberjacks Fall Short to Steel in 4-1 Loss - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- 5 Things: Stars Take Down Force, Extend Streak to Three - Lincoln Stars
- Two Shootout Goals Propel Omaha over Waterloo - Omaha Lancers
- Force Fall to Stars in Game One of the Weekend - Fargo Force
- Fighting Saints Win Rematch with Green Bay - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lancers Tip Hawks in Ralston - Waterloo Black Hawks
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