Steel Win Fifth-Straight, Ground Flying Aces 4-2 Saturday
November 24, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel trailed or were tied for a majority of Saturday night's game against the Central Illinois Flying Aces Saturday night at Grossinger Motors Arena, but a two-goal third period was the difference in the team's fifth-straight win. A pair of powerplay goals from defensemen Uula Ruikka and Matteo Pietroniro powered Chicago (9-7-1-0, 19 pts.) to its sixth consecutive road victory in the first contest of the year against Central Illinois (11-8-2-0, 24 pts.).
The first period was back-and-forth as the team's combined for three goals in the first half of the opening 20 minutes. Flying Aces forward Tate Singleton opened the scoring 70 seconds into the game with his eighth goal of the season on the Aces' first shot of the game.
Steel left wing Robert Mastrosimone tied things up 6:58 into the game when he collected his first of two goals in the game. Mastrosimone leads the Steel with 16 points (11-5-16), while defenseman Owen Power collected his first career USHL assist on the goal.
Central Illinois continued to make its shots count as forward Jon Panisa gave his team the lead 1:58 later on his team's second shot of the game. But for the remaining 51 minutes of hplay, it was Steel goaltender Justin Robbins backstopping the Chicago defensive effort as he made 25-striaght saves to capture his fourth consecutive victory in net.
Chicago tied things up 7:10 into the second period when Ruikka's shot from the point found its way past Central Illinois goaltender Mitchell Gibson on the powerplay.
The Steel took their first lead of the game with 8:34 to play in the game when Pietroniro scored the team's second powerplay goal of the night. Steel center Nick Abruzzese circled the back of the Flying Aces goal before finding Pietroniro's stick in the far circle where he settled and fired a shot past the glove of Gibson. The goal was Pietroniro's fifth of the season and Abruzzese's assist extended his point streak to three games (1-3-4).
Mastrosimone extended the lead to two with a little more than two minutes to play when he beat Gibson for the second time in the game. The Boston university commit picked up a pass from center Adam Robbins evaded multiple Central Illinois defensemen, and unleashed a wicked wrist shot for his eleventh tally of the year. With the assist, Robbins extended his point streak to six games (4-5-9). Steel left wing Christian Sarlo also picked up an assist on the final goal of the game and now has a four-game point streak (3-2-5).
These two teams will meet twice next weekend, beginning Friday, Nov. 30 when the Steel return home for Crazy Hat Night presented by School of Art with a special helmet auction to benefit the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. During the game, believed to be the first of its kind, the Steel will be wearing individually designed helmets from local students and artists. The helmets will be auctioned off through a silent auction during the game with all proceeds going to the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.
Tickets for all Steel home games are on sale now starting at just $10 and stadium seating on the glass is available for just $20. Parking is always free. The Steel offer discounted tickets for groups and are offering a special Holiday Ticket Plan, which includes three games and four gifts for just $40.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 24, 2018
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