USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Win Overtime Thriller Thursday

April 15, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - The Chicago Steel (35-11-3-2; 75 pts.) came back from a pair of third period deficits as they closed the regular season series against the Youngstown Phantoms (9-28-4-2; 24 pts.) with a thrilling 5-4 overtime win.

With the victory, the Steel secured home ice advantage in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by ensuring a finish of no worse than second place in the conference. Steel captain Erik Middendorf tallied the game winner after Ian Moore, Joe Miller, Matt Coronato and Adam Fantilli each picked up goals.

Chicago netminder Jack Stark made 13 saves as the Steel limited Youngstown to just 18 shots on goal. It was Chicago's 11th win in 12 matchups with Youngstown this season, though Thursday's victory was often in doubt.

Youngstown forward Cole Burtch had the hot hand in the opening frame, putting the Phantoms up by a pair of goals with his 16th and 17th markers of the year.

Burtch broke the scoring open just three minutes into the game, accepting a drop pass from Yusaku Ando and waiting out Steel netminder Jack Stark to light the lamp with a wrister.

The Steel were on the bad end of an unfortunate turn of events as an odd-man rush and excellent Chicago scoring chance turned into Burtch's second goal of the game. Forwards Dawson Pasternak and Sam Lipkin connected to find Joe Miller on the right side of the crease but Phantoms netminder Kyle Chauvette was quick to recover, keeping Miller off the scoreboard.

On the rush just moments later, Burtch once again showed tremendous patience as he flipped a l ong wrist shot on net that doubled the Phantoms' lead. Just before the end of the first period, Steel forwards Jackson Blake and Sean Farrell both drew tripping calls to give Chicago a four-minute power play.

On the ensuing man advantage, Ian Moore rocketed a one-timer from Farrell to cut the deficit in half.

Moore's 10th goal of the season began a middle frame that saw the ice tilted in favor of the Steel.

Although Chicago controlled puck for the majority of the period with a 15-3 edge in shots on goal, Youngstown capitalized on a 5-on-3 opportunity halfway through the frame when Jack Malone found the back of the net with a one- timer, beating Stark's blocker side to extend the Phantoms lead to 3-1.

Chicago fought back with an offensive chance, initiated by excellent defensive work from forward Dawson Pasternak.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native hustled through the neutral zone on a backcheck, lifting the stick of Jack Silich, flipping the puck to Joe Miller. In all alone on Chauvette, Miller gave a quick head fake and netted his eighth marker of the season to cut the Youngstown lead to one goal heading into the final frame.

Middendorf sparked the scoring in the third, picking off a pass high in the Steel defensive zone on a penalty kill. The Michigan State University commit raced the rest of the way down the ice, dishing a pass to Matt Co ronato at the last second for Coronato's 46th goal of the season, tying the game at 3-3.

Youngstown captured momentum a minute later on the same power play opportunity. Kenta Isogai tipped a shot from Jack Malone, scoring his fifth goal of the year as the Phantoms jumped ahead once again.

Coming off four goals over his last two games against Youngstown, Steel rookie Adam Fantilli continued his impressive stretch with the second game-tying goal for Chicago.

The USHL's leading scorer, Sean Farrell, made a pass while falling down at the Chicago blue line that connected with Fantilli who was left alone on the left side of the Steel offensive zone.

Fantilli collected the puck and fired home his 18th goal of the year.

The Steel didn't have to wait long into the extra frame to celebrate.

With just over a minute gone in overtime, Middendorf carried the puck on the right side of a 2- on-1 rush with Mackie Samoskevich. Waiting out Chauvette, Middendorf pulled the trigger on his 30th goal of the season, the second-most in the USHL this season.

After a day off, the Steel will play their final regular season road game, a 7:05 pm CT puck drop against the Green Bay Gamblers on Saturday, April 17. Chicago host Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Xfinity on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 with a Steel puck giveaway for the first 250 fans at each game. Tickets for all remaining regular season home game are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL, visiting ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or at the Steel Box Office open at 10 a.m. on the day of each home game.

Chicago Steel games can be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (FREE AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (STREAM).

Chicago Steel Upcoming Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Saturday, April 17 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)

Friday, April 23 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Xfinity with Steel puck giveaway (first 250 fans)

Saturday, April 24 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Xfinity with Steel puck giveaway (first 250 fans)

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2021


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