GENEVA, ILLINOIS — Entering the night as the top scoring team in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Steel (6-4-0-0; 12 pts.) were held scoreles, falling 5-0 to the Youngstown Phantoms (2-4-0-0; 4 pts.) Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Youngstown netminder Jacob Fowler put on a goaltending display with 33 saves in registering his first shutout of the season. 

The last time Steel had been shut out was March 20, 2022 when Fowler and the Phantoms earned a 1-0 win at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Steel netminder Christian Manz, making his second start in as many nights, came up big in the opening minutes of the contest with a scrambling save in front of the blue paint. After a shot from the hash marks, sticks from both teams were in the fray but Manz was able to dive forward and cover the puck.

Just a few shifts later, the Phantoms were able to solve Manz for the game’s first goal. Justin Varner entered the Youngstown offensive zone with speed and found James Fisher who beat his defender to the net. Varner fired a pass that was re-directed by the blade of Fisher to take a 1-0 lead that held the remainder of the period.

The Phantoms doubled the lead thanks to the persistence of Reese Laubach just before the midway point of the middle frame.

In an abbreviated 3-on-2 rush, Laubach wristed a puck to Manz that was initially turned away but not completely controlled. Laubach followed his shot and was able to put home his first of the season.

With just over four minutes to play in the second, the Steel had a golden chance to tally their first goal of the night, but Fowler made his best save of the game. To start the play, Fowler stoned Steel forward Macklin Celebrini on the left side of the crease but the puck trickled behind the net where the USHL’s leading goal scorer, Nick Moldenhauer, gained control. Moldenhauer tried a wraparound attempt, but Fowler beat him to the right post, keeping the 2-0 lead.

Backstopped by Fowler, Youngstown was able to fend off a four-minute Steel power play that was bookended the second intermission.

After the momentum-gaining penalty kill, the Phantoms extended the lead just five minutes into the third.

Youngstown forward Blake Bechen caught a pass in the right circle and had enough time and space to control the puck and sling a wrister past Manz for his first of the year.

Jake Rozzi added his second goal of the season for Youngstown after a fierce forecheck caused a turnover in the Steel defensive zone. William Whitelaw picked up the loose puck and gave it right back to Rozzi who charged towards the net to put the Phantoms up 4-0.

Fowler continued to stymy the Steel offense, putting an exclamation point on his first shutout of the season. In the final minutes of play, Steel forward Jack Brandt got to the doorstep and tried to jam the puck home, but Fowler’s left pad stood strong.

Whitelaw added his third goal of the season with just over a minute to play, sealing the 5-0 shutout victory for Youngstown as the teams split the two-game weekend series.

The Steel embark on a road trip next week for a game against the Green Bay Gamblers on Saturday, October 29 at 3:05 pm CT before returning to Fox Valley Ice Arena for a pair of games to kick off the month of November.

Friday, Nov. 4 is Elvis Night at 7:05 pm CT against the Green Bay Gamblers and Saturday, Nov. 5 against the Madison Capitols is Wayne’s World 30th Anniversary Night with a Post-Game Skate with the Steel.

Steel single-game tickets start at just $10 and are on sale by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours. Starting this season, all Steel tickets are now digital. To learn more, visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Season ticket plans starting at 5 games for just $50 and group tickets and experiences are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL or emailing info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Saturday, October 29 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)

Friday, November 4 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Elvis Night

Saturday, November 5 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) Wayne’s World 30th Anniversary Night | Post-Game Skate With the Steel

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