Miller Sets Record and Balch Scores Hat Trick In Win Over Bucs'
Story By: Steve Jankowski
Bensenville (March 24th, 2009) -- Andrew Miller (Yale University) broke one team record and tied another, while Josh Balch (Yale University) recorded a hat trick to lead the Chicago Steel to a 6-0 whitewashing of the Des Moines Buccaneers at the Edge Ice Arena Tuesday night.

Miller broke Danny Richmond's single-season assists record when he found Balch at the top of the left circle while the Steel skated on a power play.  Balch, playing in his first game against his former team, fired the puck past Des Moines goalie Aaron Crandall, off the post and into the net halfway through the first.

Balch struck again just over two minutes later with a shorthanded breakaway goal to put Chicago up two.

A minute later, Jak Knelman slid a pass Miller's way, and the league's leading goal scorer made no mistake as he one-timed the puck past Crandall for his 30th goal of the year.  The goal tied the single-season record set last year by Andy Miele, and also tied him with Indiana's Mike Cichy for the league lead in goals. 

After a scoreless second period, Balch completed his hat trick 35 seconds into the third.  He snatched the puck from a Des Moines player on right wing, skated by a defender and went one-on-one with Crandall.  His shot back against the grain beat Crandall's glove from the slot for his third goal and fourth point of the night.

Alex Krushelnyski and Mark Goggin (Dartmouth University, Boston Bruins) also added third period goals to round out the scoring.

Nick Pisellini led the way defensively, stopping all 48 Des Moines shots he faced to earn his first career USHL shutout.

The Steel travel to Des Moines for the re-match Friday night and will visit Indiana Saturday night before a make-up game next Tuesday against the Waterloo Black Hawks at the Edge Ice Arena.  Game time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be ordered by calling the Steel Ticket Office at 630.594.1165.