Steel Top USA 6-5 in Overtime Winner
April 2, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS- The Chicago Steel (35-15-3-1; 74 pts) came back from a two-goal deficit for the ninth time this season in a 6-5 overtime thriller against USA Hockey NTDP (U18) (33-17-2-2; 70 pts) Saturday evening at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
Trailing 4-2 heading to the third period, the Steel scored three straight goals including Jack Harvey's go-ahead tally with 1:15 left in regulation. USA's Will Smith answered with a goal just 16 seconds later to force overtime.
Nick Moldenhauer scored both a shorthanded and power play goal, including the game winner in overtime.
Chris Delaney scored his fifth goal in six games and recorded an assist for his second consecutive multi-point game. Michael Emerson and Jack Harvey also each recorded a goal and an assist.
The Steel's league leading power play went two-for-three while their penalty kill was perfect, going three-for-three.
The two top goal-scoring teams in the USHL played one of the most entertaining games of the season with Chicago handing the U18 team just its fifth loss in league play.
The first period featured early opportunities in both directions, including a shorthanded chance by Macklin Celebrini and a dangerous scoring opportunity on the power play by USA that forced Steel goaltender Jack Stark to make a sprawling blocker save.
It wasn't until under four minutes left in the frame that USA opened the scoring. Zach Schulz tipped the puck to Cole Eiserman at the red line from the top of the defensive zone. Eiserman carried the puck down the left side before releasing a wrister from the left circle that deflected off a Steel stick and over Stark's left shoulder to give USA a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, USA doubled its lead. Danny Nelson poked the puck off a Steel stick in the defensive before passing to Salvatore Guzzo in the neutral zone. Guzzo carried the puck along the far boards, creating a two-on-one before firing from the right circle to beat Stark low, blocker side.
The Steel outshot USA 13-9 with USA goaltender Carsen Musser keeping the home team scoreless.
Just 13 seconds into the middle frame, the Steel cut USA's lead in half.
Macklin Celebrini stickhandled around several USA defenders at the top of the offensive zone before making a backhanded pass to Chris Able on the far end of the blue line. Able carried the puck to the net, before putting the puck on his backhand into the net for his second goal of the season and first since Oct. 14.
Less than three minutes later, the Steel struck again, this time while shorthanded. Grayden Slipec collected a loose puck along the near boards in the defensive zone before bursting into the neutral zone accompanied by Nick Moldenhauer. Slipec connected with Moldenhauer at the red line, who broke past USA defenders for a breakaway. Moldenhauer fired from the slot between the pads of Musser for the equalizer.
Less than a minute later, USA regained the lead just after the power play expired. Cole Eiserman caught the puck in the defensive zone and carried it end-to-end. Driving to the crease, Eiserman connected with Will Vote in the left circle for a one-timer goal and a 3-2 USA lead. With less than seven minutes left in the middle frame, USA extended the lead. Eiserman received the puck at the top of the defensive zone following a board battle and carried it end-to-end. He whipped the puck from an odd-angle on his backhand into the back of the net for a 4-2 USA advantage.
Early in the third period, the Steel were awarded their first power play opportunity of the evening. The Steel peppered Musser with shots, getting a large quantity of dangerous scoring opportunities.
Though the Steel couldn't capitalize on the man advantage, they struck shortly after its expiration to cut USA's lead 4-3. Anthony Dowd collected a loose puck at the defensive blue line before finding Jordan Brisson at the top of the offensive zone. Brisson carried the puck in and connected with Chris Delaney in the slot. Delaney lost the puck in Musser's pads, but spun and collected the loose puck on the doorstep to lift the puck into the net while Musser was down. It was Delaney's fifth goal in six games and his eighth of the season.
With less than five minutes left in the period, the Steel struck again to tie the game at 4-4, this time on the power play. Jayden Perron circled to the center of the blue line before connecting with Quinn Finley in the left circle. Finley found Michael Emerson on the doorstep for a tip-in goal, Emerson's first since March 4.
With just over a minute left in regulation, the Steel earned their first lead of the night. Michael Emerson made a long, cross-ice pass from the defensive zone to Chris Delaney at the red line. Delaney connected with a streaking Jack Harvey, who calmed the puck before firing a wrister from the left circle for his 35th goal of the season.
Just 16 seconds later, USA tied the game. Will Smith poked the puck off a Steel stick, creating space for the 2023 NHL Draft prospect. Smith carried the puck into the offensive zone and fired from the left circle just inside the right post to tie the game.
Just over two minutes into the overtime period, the Steel scored the game winner on the power play. Macklin Celebrini made a drop pass to Harvey, who carried the puck along the blue line before finding Moldenhauer. Moldenhauer fired from the slot for his second goal of the night and the overtime winner. It was Moldenhauer's eighth goal in ten games.
Chicago outshot USA 42-25.
Sunday afternoon, the Steel and USA Hockey NTDP (U18) are back at Fox Valley Ice Arena for Pucks and Pups presented by PetSuites.
Fans planning to bring their dogs are invited to sit in either Section 204 or Section 205, and dogs and their owners will be chosen to participate in activities such as Musical Sit, Best Trick Competition and Pup Cup Battle. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT.
Sunday marks the final Slumberland Family Pack game of the regular season. The Slumberland Family Pack is a deal which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas/waters, four chips and four chuck-a-pucks for just $50. The package may be purchased in quantities of four to eight and may be purchased online by clicking here and selecting from the column on the right side of the ticketing page.
Next weekend, the Steel travel to the Covelli Centre in Ohio for a pair of games against the Youngstown Phantoms. Tickets for all Steel home games start at just $10 and are available by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours.
All Chicago Steel tickets are digital and available on mobile devices. Fans should create their profile online by clicking here. For more information on digital tickets for the Chicago Steel, click here. Fans attending Steel home games this season are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the arena to avoid any delays on game night.
Season ticket plans for the 2023-2024 season are now on sale starting at just 5 games for just $50. As part of the team's "Ticket Plan Madness" campaign, for a limited time, fans that secure a new season ticket plan for next season will receive complimentary tickets for regular season and playoff games this season. Fans can call 855-51-STEEL or email info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.
The Steel are offering fans the opportunity to secure the best seats and lock in the lowest ticket price for?all potential Clark Cup Playoff home games through the team's Pay As We Play program available now through April 21.
Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush: Sunday, April 2 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (U18) (3:05 p.m. CT) Pucks and Pups presented by PetSuites | Slumberland Family Pack Friday, April 7 at Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 p.m. CT) Saturday, April 8 at Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 p.m. CT)
United States Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2023
- $16.50 for Cedar Bend - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Steel Sweep NTDP (U18) with 7-3 Victory Sunday - Chicago Steel
- First Period Frustrations Simmer - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Caps Fall in Shootout to U-17's - Madison Capitols
- Stars Come Back Twice But Fall to Black Hawks - Lincoln Stars
- Steel Top USA 6-5 in Overtime Winner - Chicago Steel
- Lancers Get Revenge Against The Bucs On The Road - Omaha Lancers
- Phantoms' First Period Explosion Leads to 7-3 Thumping of Muskegon - Youngstown Phantoms
- The Aftermath: Storm Defeats Stampede on Youth Hockey Night - Tri-City Storm
- Gamblers Shut Out Dubuque on 90's Night - Green Bay Gamblers
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