STEEL EXTEND WIN STREAK TO SIX GAMES FRIDAY

Moldenhauer scores twice; Plante registers three points

MIDDLETON, WISCONSIN— The Chicago Steel (17-5-1-1; 36 pts) extended their win streak to six games with a 6-3 victory over the Madison Capitols (7-15-0-1; 15 pts) Friday, Dec. 16 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.

The Steel have earned at least a point in the standings in each of their last 11 games.

Five Steel players registered multi-point nights including Nick Moldenhauer who scored twice. Zam Plante matched a career-high with a three-point game. Jack Harvey and Michael Emerson, Chicago's two leading scorers, each had a goal and an assist.

The Steel started the game with fire, getting high-quality scoring chances early on. Macklin Celebrini opened scoring less than five minutes into the game. Celebrini carried the puck through the neutral zone into the offensive zone, weaving through Madison's defense in a display of his incredible raw talent. Celebrini spun to the left of the goal and fired the puck to the crease where it found Nick Moldenhauer at the doorstep. Moldenhauer deposited his 12^th goal of the season to give Chicago a 1-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, the Steel struck again. Michael Emerson stole the puck in the slot in the Steel's offensive zone and tried to stuff the puck behind Madison goaltender Rastislav Elias. The puck got stuck momentarily under his skate, but Jack Harvey was there to quickly collect the puck and get his 20^th goal of the season.

Halfway through the period, Madison got on the board. After a Steel turnover in the neutral zone, Madison worked the puck behind the Steel net. Forward Nathan Lewis gained control in the right corner and sent it to Capitols newcomer Jake Ratzlaff at the right point. Ratzlaff's shot from the point hit traffic in front of the net and trickled behind Steel goaltender Jack Stark for the goal to cut the Steel lead to 2-1.

As time wound down in the period, Madison tied the game at 2-2. After a 4-on-2 rush into the Steel zone, William Felicio gained possession at the point and ripped a shot toward the net. With a screen in front, the puck was knocked down and sat in the crease behind Stark. In a chaotic sequence, Steel defenseman Thor Byfuglien attempted to dive on the puck but it was collected by Madison's Jack Musa and tucked in.

Early in the second period, Madison came out with speed. Jonah Aegerter muscled through the Steel defense into the Capitols offensive zone. From his knees, Aegerter found Brendan Lamb racing towards the net. Lamb made a cross ice pass in front of the crease to Bennett Barnes, who shot a one-timer goal under Stark's right pad to give the Capitols their first lead of the night.

Two minutes later, the Steel struck back. Celebrini carried the puck along the boards to find Moldenahuer in the slot. Moldenhauer wound up for a slapshot, which soared above the net and deflected off the glass. The puck was picked up to the left of Elias by Zam Plante, who quickly tucked it behind the unsuspecting goaltender to tie the game at 3-3.

As time expired on a Steel 5-on-3 power play late in the second period, Chicago struck again to gain the lead. Nick Moldenhauer, stationed to the left of Elias, found Anthony Dowd between the circles for a slapshot which bounded off the Madison goaltender who had come out to challenge the shot. Plante collected the rebound, spun, and backhanded the puck behind Elias where Mick Thompson was waiting at the side of the net. Thompson collected the puck and jammed it home to extend his point streak to five games and give Chicago a 4-3 lead heading to the third period.

The third period started as a battle of the goaltenders, with each netminder stopping every shot until Moldenhauer broke the stalemate late in the period.

With less than three minutes left in the game and Chicago holding a one-goal lead, Celebrini made a long pass from the Steel defensive zone to a streaking Plante at the top of the offensive zone. Plante pushed for a two-on-one with Moldenhauer and made a cross-crease pass to Moldenhauer for a one-timer goal and his second goal of the night.

Less than a minute later, Chicago scored once again to put the game out of reach. The Steel's league-leading power play continued to buzz, as Michael Emerson extended his goal streak to three games. With Chicago controlling the puck in the Madison zone, Harvey held the puck at the point and found Cameron Johnson in the right circle. Johnson quickly found Emerson on the doorstep to the left of Elias. After an initial save, Emerson's second effort forced the puck out from under Elias' left pad and into the net.

Jack Stark has now won eight straight starts. His record now stands at 9-1-0-0 with a GAA of 2.87 and SV% of .922.

The Steel face off against the Capitols once again Saturday, Dec. 16 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Following the game, the Steel will enter the USHL's holiday break, resuming play on Wednesday, Dec. 28 in Cedar Rapids.

The Steel will next return to the Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday, Dec. 30 when they host the Green Bay Gamblers. It's a Slumberland Furniture Family Pack Game, a special offer for fans which includes four tickets, four chips, four sodas/waters and four chuck-a-pucks for just $50. After the game, fans can take the ice for a post-game skate.
Tickets for all Steel home games start at just $10 and are available by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours.

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 this weekend's games and all 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 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, December 17 at Madison Capitols (7:05 p.m. CT)
Wednesday, December 28 at Cedar Rapids Roughriders (7:05 p.m. CT)
Friday, December 30 vs Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 p.m. CT)
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Players Mentioned

#1 Jack Stark: G; 5' 9"; Yale University

#9 Nick Moldenhauer: F; 5' 11"; Freshman; University of Michigan

#13 Jack Harvey: F; 5' 10"; Boston University

#21 Cameron Johnson: F; 5' 8"; Harvard University

#26 Michael Emerson: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

#27 Zam Plante: F; 5' 10"; University of Minnesota-Duluth

Players Mentioned

#1 Jack Stark
: 5' 9"; Yale University
: G

#9 Nick Moldenhauer
: 5' 11"; Freshman; University of Michigan
: F

#13 Jack Harvey
: 5' 10"; Boston University
: F

#21 Cameron Johnson
: 5' 8"; Harvard University
: F

#26 Michael Emerson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F

#27 Zam Plante
: 5' 10"; University of Minnesota-Duluth
: F