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USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Score Final Three Goals in 3-2 Win over Muskegon

February 25, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN - After spotting the home team a 2-0 lead, the Chicago Steel (25-10- 7-1; 58 pts.) scored the final three goals of the game to earn a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Muskegon Lumberjacks (24-13-3-3; 54 pts.) at Mercy Health Arena in Michigan Friday night.

With the victory, Chicago has earned points in four consecutive games and maintains sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.

Special teams played a pivotal role in the win as the league's top-ranked power play unit accounted for two of Chicago's three goals - markers from Joe Miller and Sam Lipkin.

Steel forward Adam Fantilli jumped into a tie for fifth all-time on the Steel goals list with his 44th career tally, matching fellow 2021 Clark Cup champions Sean Farrell and Erik Middendorf.

Fantilli's goal proved to be the game-winner in the third period.

Muskegon jumped into the offensive action early, scoring their only two goals in the first period.

Just under two minutes into the game, Quinn Hutson capped a back-and-forth start speeding down the left side on a partial breakaway and putting a wrister past Steel netminder Christian Manz to take the 1-0 lead for Muskegon.

With early momentum on their side, the Lumberjacks struck on the game's first power play off puck movement from Jake Richard and Jacob Braccini. Richard fired a pass from below the left circle to a waiting Braccini in the right circle. Braccini connected on a one-timer, beating Manz before he could slide to his left.

Manz shut the door for the rest of the night, making a total of 24 saves between the Steel pipes.

Chicago faced another Muskegon power play just past the midway point of the opening frame but this time, the Steel prevailed thanks to a key stop on a netfront scramble from Manz, keeping the deficit at 2-0.

Using the momentum from the crucial penalty kill, the Steel tallied a goal just seven seconds into their first man advantage of the game.

After an offensive zone faceoff win, Adam Fantilli controlled the puck behind the net where he slid a pass to Jackson Blake in the slot before Blake found Joe Miller on the left side of the crease. Miller was initially stopped by Lumberjacks goaltender Aleksandr Kuleshov before grabbing his own rebound to net his 16th goal of the year.

Keeping the game within reach, the Steel once again used their power play unit to tie the game at 2-2. Shortly after the man advantage began, Adam Fantilli bounced a wrister off the pads of

Kuleshov directly to Sam Lipkin who darted in from the right circle, one-touching the puck to register his 21st goal of the year.

In the third, Adam Fantilli capped his three-point night with his league-leading 26th goal of the season.

Just over six minutes into the final frame, Jackson Blake and Joe Miller played catch as Blake ducked behind the Steel net. Blake tossed the puck just inside the left circle where Fantilli teed off on a point-blank one-timer to give the Steel their first lead of the night.

Chicago's defense stiffened for the remainder of the period, holding the Lumberjacks to six shots on net in the third.

In the final three minutes of action, the Steel held Muskegon to one shot on goal which was blockered away by Manz with just over a minute to play. Even with an extra attacker for the final minute of action, Chicago snuffed out the late rush to improve its season record against the Lumberjacks to 4-0-2-0.

Chicago and Muskegon finish the weekend with a matchup on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 6:10 pm CT at Mercy Health Arena in Michigan, the seventh of nine scheduled meetings between the Eastern Conference heavyweights.

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:

Saturday, March 5 vs. Green Bay (7:05 pm CT) Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental | Postgame Skate

Friday, March 11 vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 pm CT) Meme Night presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics

Saturday, March 12 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) Ferris Bueller's Day at a Steel Game Presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush | GIVEAWAY - Rusty 'Save Ferris' Bobblehead (First 500 fans)

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