USHL Chicago Steel

Youngstown Takes Series Lead with 4-1 Game 3 Victory

Published on May 9, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Youngstown Phantoms scored 57 seconds into the game and never looked back e 4-1 victory of the Chicago Steel in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final Monday Night at Covelli Centre. The Phantoms now lead the best-offive series two games to one heading into Game 4 Tuesday night. Michael Emerson scored the lone Steel goal, his third in the last four games.

Christian Manz was again strong in net, stopping 31 shots. Manz has stopped at least 30 shots in all three starts this series.

Martin Misiak recorded a goal and an assist for the Phantoms. Goaltender Jacob Fowler stopped 29 of 30 shots including outstanding saves in the third period to earn the victory.

The Phantoms came out strong on home ice, opening the scoring just 57 seconds into the contest.

William Whitelaw rushed into the offensive zone on an odd-man rush, forcing Steel goaltender Christian Manz to jump out of the net and poke the puck off Whitelaw's stick.

The puck trickled to the stick of Andrew Strathmann at the top of the left circle who flung the puck towards the net, where Shane Lachance stood at the side of the net for a tip-in goal and early 1-0 lead.

The Steel struggled to break into the offensive zone for the first ten minutes before finding their footing in the latter stages of the period including strong chances from Michael Hage and Grayden Slipec.

Chicago was awarded the first power play early in the second period but managed only one shot on goal during the minor penalty.

Midway through the second period, Youngstown received its first opportunity with a man advantage and doubled its lead while on the power play.

After the Steel disrupted the Phantoms for the first 100 seconds of the man advantage, Martin Misiak collected the puck along the near boards and stickhandled in the right circle to calm it, waiting for an opening. Misiak used a screen in front of Manz to sneak a wrister high, glove side for a 2-0 Phantoms lead.

Misiak now has six points in the series.

Less than four minutes into the third period, the Steel got a much-needed goal to cut the lead in half. Jack Harvey slithered into the offensive zone, hounded by his defenders.

Harvey carried the puck down the far side as Michael Emerson burst into the zone. Harvey connected with Emerson crashing the net who tipped in the puck for his third goal of the postseason.

The momentum was short-lived as 43 seconds later, the Phantoms regained their twogoal advantage. Nick Williams rushed into the offensive zone but had the puck poked off his stick.

Former Steel forward Andon Cerbone picked up the loose puck in the right circle and dragged before releasing a high wrister just under the crossbar.

Fowler was stellar from there, denying several strong Steel scoring chances before Youngstown added an insurance goal with under four minutes remaining.

With the Phantoms applying pressure, a clearing attempt landed the puck on the stick of Misiak who swatted the puck to Strathmann above the left circle. Strathamnn skated in a small arc and released a low wrister through traffic to make it 4-1.

The Steel will look to extend the series in Game 4 on Tuesday night at Covelli Centre at 6:05 p.m. CST. A potential Game 5 would take place Thursday, May 11 at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Eastern Conference Final tickets are now on sale and may be purchased at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyteam.com. Fans with questions should email info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

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.

Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Eastern Conference Final - Best-of-Five

#1 Steel vs. #2 Youngstown (Series tied 1-1)

Game 1: YNG 4, Steel 1 - Friday, May 5 at Fox Valley Ice Arena

Game 2: Steel 5, YNG 2 - Saturday, May 6 at Fox Valley Ice Arena

Game 3: YNG 4, Steel 1 - Monday, May 8 at Covelli Centre

Game 4: Steel at YNG - Tuesday, May 9 at 6:05 pm at Covelli Centre

Game 5 (if necessary): YNG at Steel - Thursday, May 11, 7:05 pm at Fox Valley Ice Arena

All times CST

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United States Hockey League Stories from May 9, 2023


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