USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Respond with Dominant 6-1 Victory over Omaha

March 3, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, IL - A three-goal first period surged the Steel to an insurmountable lead, and Charlie Major scored three goals and added an assist to help Chicago (21-21-3-4, 49 pts.) defeat the Omaha Lancers (8-36-3-0, 19 pts.) 6-1 at Fox Valley Ice Arena Sunday afternoon.

Charlie Major scored a goal in the first and two in the second, plus an assist, becoming the third Steel player to score a hat trick this season (DelGreco, Thompson). Brady Arneson scored his second goal of the season halfway through the opening frame, and Tobias Ohman scored his sixth goal of the year. Michael Hage scored his 25th goal of the season.

Goaltender Louka Cloutier posted another impressive home appearance, stopping 33 of 34 shots to record his 12th win of the season.

Similar to how Saturday night's game began, the Steel quickly jumped on the board to start Sunday afternoon's contest.

Just one minute into the game, Major danced around an Omaha defender at the blue line to get a wide-open lane. Major dragged and ripped a shot over the left shoulder of Lancers goaltender Lucas Szyszka to start the scoring.

Chicago didn't let up, getting a handful of chances following Major's goal and capitalizing just after the halfway point of the first.

Lukas Sawchyn displayed great vision and rifled a saucer pass through neutral ice, hitting Arneson at the blue line to spring him on a breakaway.

With back-checkers converging, Arneson sent a high snap shot over the blocker of Szyszka to propel the Steel to a 2-0 lead.

Just under six minutes later, Chicago advanced to a three-goal lead thanks to a solid forecheck.

Tobias Ohman tossed the puck to the blue line, got it back at the right circle, and proceeded to make a great drag move around a Lancer. In one motion, he moved forehand and sniped a shot blocker side.

Omaha offered a response 20 seconds later on a score from Jamison Sluys to make it 3-1, but it would be the only Lancers tally in the game.

The second period was all Chicago, which matched its first period total of three goals.

A pair of penalties at the end of the first period gave Chicago a two-man advantage to start the middle frame, and the Steel worked the 5-on-3 power play to perfection.

Major worked around the zone into the slot and dished a pass to Hage at the right circle. The Lancers gave Hage tons of time, and the Steel's leading scorer picked the lower corner of the net for a power play goal to make it 4-1.

Five minutes after Hage's PPG, it was Major getting a perfect setup from Hage to get his second goal of the afternoon.

Hage nearly scored another goal to add to his highlight reel but just missed the left post. Hage scooped the rebound in the corner and passed to Thompson on the left wing, who gave to Hage at the left side of the net. While turning, Hage made a brilliant pass to Major at the back door to shoot and score on the vacant net.

Szyszka was relieved after the goal, and Mikhail Yegorov took his place.

The first-line frenzy continued at the halfway point, as Major again worked in flawless unison with Thompson and Chris Reiniger.

Chicago broke out of its own end with numbers and Major quarterbacking at the left point. With space, Major weaved to his right and ripped a beautiful shot off the right post and past Yegorov to complete the hat trick.

The Lancers pushed back with 13 shots in the final frame, but Cloutier stopped each one to finalize Chicago's 6-1 victory.

The Steel will stay on home ice next weekend and host USA Hockey NTDP on Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10.

March 9 is the 9th Annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental. Fans are encouraged to bring new stuffed animals and toss them onto the ice following the Steel's first goal. All stuffed animals will be donated to charity.

March 10 is Part 2 of the Chicago Steel Trading Card Set Giveaway. Full Team Post-Game Autographs will follow the game, where fans can get their trading cards signed by the team.

It's also a Steel Family Pack game, where fans can get four tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas/waters, and chuck-a-pucks for just $60.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com. For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Saturday, March 9 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (6:05 pm CT) | Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental

Sunday, March 10 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (3:05 pm CT) | Trading Card Set Giveaway Part 2 | Full Team Post-Game Autographs | Family Pack Game

Wednesday, March 13 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2024


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