Steel Respond with 6-2 Victory in Game 2 Sunday
April 22, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN - Samuel Bucek recorded four points (2-2-4) and Oskar Autio made 43 saves as the Chicago Steel soared to a 6-2 victory Sunday against Team USA at USA Hockey Arena, evening the best-of-5 Eastern Conference Semifinal at a game apiece. The series now shifts to Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Ill., for Games 3 and 4 on Thursday and Friday, marking Chicago's first home games of the 2018 Clark Cup Playoffs.
Nick Abruzzese (1-1-2), Graham Lillibridge (2-0-2) and Jack Dugan (0-2-2) each registered two points. Lillibridge finished with a +5 rating in the game as he was on the ice for all six Chicago goals. The Geneva native is now third all-time in Steel postseason history with 14 points.
The Steel opened the scoring 9:51 into the first period when Bucek exited the penalty box and beat USA goaltender Cameron Rowe with a wrist shot past the blocker. The Slovakian forward intercepted a USA pass attempt in the offensive zone and quickly fired a shot past Rowe for his first of two goals in the game.
Team USA tied things up 2:46 into the second period on a goal awarded by the referees after a video review. USA forward Matthew Boldy's initial shot from Autio's left was initially saved but the rebound found USA center Trevor Zegras, who shoveled the rebound back into the crease and Boldy tapped it home.
Chicago then exploded for four-straight goals to take a commanding 5-1 lead. It began when Steel center Nick Abruzzese scored his first tally of the postseason with 10:34 to play in the middle frame. Robert Mastrosimone sent a wrist shot towards Rowe, and after the initial pad save, Dugan sent a pass through the crease that Abruzzese tapped into the empty net.
Lillibridge and Matteo Pietroniro then scored back-to-back, marking the first career USHL playoff goal for each player. Lillibridge blasted a one-time slap shot past Rowe's glove at the 14:59 mark on a feed from Abruzzese. Pietroniro then scored with 2:58 to play in the middle frame with a crafty individual effort. The Steel captain circled away from USA forward Michael Gildon and down the right-wing boards before he rifled a perfect wrist shot into the upper corner past Rowe's glove.
Lillibridge then added his second goal of the game 4:54 into the third period when his wrist shot from the slot beat Rowe's blocker.
Team USA center Danny Weight jammed home a rebound on a power play with 10:42 to play to cut the Chicago lead to three, 5-2.
Bucek reestablished the Chicago four-goal lead 2:33 later when his one-time slap shot from the left circle found its way past Rowe. The Steel right winger now has seven points in just three games this postseason.
Both teams scored one power-play goal on four chances each after the teams combined to go 0-for-11 in Game 1 Saturday night. Team USA outshot the Steel 45-41.
The Steel will host Game 3 on Thursday, April 26, and Game 4 on Friday, April 27. Both games start at 7:05 p.m. CT. If a Game 5 is needed, the series would conclude back in Plymouth, Mich., on Sunday, April 29 (3:05/2:05 p.m. CT).
Tickets are now on sale for Games 3 & 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series including a special "Back-to-Back Blitz!" ticket offer valid now through Wednesday, April 25. Join the Steel on their quest to become the first team in 24 years to win back-to-back Clark Cup titles. Fans can buy one ticket, get one ticket free for Games 3 and 4 of the series. The offer is valid through Wednesday, April 25 on all center reserved, attack preferred and attack reserved tickets for Games 3 and 4.
Fans are encouraged to visit the Playoff Hub on ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com for game dates, times, results, and ticket information throughout the 2018 Clark Cup Playoffs. All Steel playoff game broadcasts will be carried live on Mixlr (free audio) and HockeyTV (iPPV). For broadcast links and information, visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com/broadcast. For Steel tickets or more information, call 855-51-STEEL, stop by the Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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