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USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Win Fifth Straight in 5-3 Victory over Youngstown

December 10, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS -- A go-ahead goal by a Steel rookie in the third period defined a hotly- contested battle between the Chicago Steel (7-2-0-0; 14 pts.) and Youngstown Phantoms (2-4- 0-0; 4 pts.) as the Steel earned a 5-3 victory on Thursday afternoon at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Chicago forward Adam Fantilli broke a 3-3 deadlock with his first marker in a Steel sweater and the USHL points leader, Matt Coronato, collected a goal and two helpers in the win.

The Phantoms seemed to have an extra jump in their step in the early going after earning the game's first power play just 49 seconds into the contest. Youngstown held an early edge in shots on goal but the Steel were quick to take control of the first period.

After nearly getting an assist early on, Steel forward Adam Robbins was rewarded for his work in front of the net. The Steel alternate captain got his stick on a pass and guided the puck into an open crease for his third marker of the year.

Mackie Samoskevich added on to the Chicago advantage 90 seconds later with a laser wrist shot from almost no angle. The play began with Coronato finding Sean Farrell on a cross-ice pass. From the right circle, Farrell put touch on a pass that found its way past all four Phantom penalty killers to Samoskevich. As he straddled the goal line, Samoskevich roofed the wrister that pushed the Steel lead to 2-0.

Youngstown had a near miss with just seconds remaining in the first as Georgii Merkulov unleased a shot that rang off the post behind Steel netminder Nick Haas. Haas stopped all 10 Youngstown shots in the first and helped Chicago to a 2-0 lead after one.

Youngstown kept the pressure on the first-year netminder, scoring two goals within five minutes of each other to tie the game in the second period.

Merkulov posted up on the right side of the crease and tapped home a nice pass from Nate Hanley to get the Phantoms on the board.

Youngstown's leading goal scorer, Cole Burtch, added to his season total by netting his fifth of the year on a power play. The Western Michigan University commit one-timed a pass from Yusaku Ando in the right circle, beating Haas blocker side.

Sean Farrell added another point to the scoresheet after registering an assist earlier in the game. The Harvard University commit picked up a drop pass from Colton Huard and made his way into the slot, firing a lightning-quick wrister. The marker was his seventh of the season and put the Steel back in front, 3-2.

Youngstown answered shortly after with Jack Silich's first USHL goal to knot the game up at 3- 3-3 heading into the final regulation frame.

Haas came up with a clutch stop in the third, stoning Nate Hanley on a breakaway chance early in the frame, one of Youngstown's best opportunities of the afternoon. As time wound below the 10-minute mark, Fantilli picked great timing to net his first USHL goal.

Defenseman Ryan Ufko gathered a puck at the right point and threw a pass to a cutting Fantilli who beat his defender on the back door, tapping home the eventual game-winner.

With Youngstown goalie Mattias Sholl pulled for the extra attacker, Youngstown gained zone time in the final minute as Haas and the Chicago defense held its ground. After a huge save from Haas on Youngstown forward Jack Malone, Ufko cleared a puck into the Steel offensive zone. Chicago captain Erik Middendorf gave chase and passed to a wide-open Matt Coronato in front of the Phantom net for his ninth marker of the year.

The Steel outshot the Phantoms 33-24, including an 11-6 edge in the third period, to hold on for their fifth consecutive win heading into the weekend.

Chicago and Youngstown square off again on Friday and Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena with both games slated for a 7:05 pm puck drop.

Chicago 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). Chicago Steel Upcoming Games: Friday, December 11 vs Youngstown Phantoms (7:05 pm CT) Saturday, December 12 vs Youngstown Phantoms (7:05 pm CT) Friday, December 18 @ Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:00 pm CT) For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com. ###

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