Men's Ice Hockey 12/17/2022 9:54:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL HEAD TO HOLIDAY BREAK WITH SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN SATURDAY

Celebrini scores twice; Stark makes 41 saves

MIDDLETON, WISCONSIN— The Chicago Steel (18-5-1-1; 38 pts) extended their win streak to seven games with a 4-1 victory over the Madison Capitols (7-16-0-1; 15 pts) Saturday, Dec. 17 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena. The Steel have earned at least a point in 12 straight games and holds the best record in the USHL heading into the league's holiday break.

Steel goaltender Jack Stark stood strong in net, stopping 41 shots. Stark has now won nine straight starts and his record now stands at 10-1-0-0.

Macklin Celebrini scored twice for the Steel and registered an assist in the contest. Mick Thompson and Zam Plante each had a goal and an assist in the game as Chicago swept the two-game weekend series.

The game started with high-quality chances for both teams, with Madison getting the majority of the opportunities. Jack Stark had an outstanding performance, stopping all 12 shots faced including a split-save on a breakaway.

With less than five minutes left in the first period, Mick Thompson intercepted the puck in the neutral zone to create a three-on-one push for the Steel. Thompson fed the puck with a cross-ice pass to a streaking Charlie Major, who passed it back to Thompson for a tic-tac-toe goal that snuck behind Madison goaltender Rastislav Elias' right skate. Thompson now has ten points (3G, 7A) in his last six games.

As time wound down in the first period, Macklin Celebrini was taken down on an offensive push drawing a penalty.

The Steel began the second period on the power play and wasted no time capitalizing on the man advantage. 18 seconds into the period, the powerful Steel power play continued its success streak. Macklin Celebrini tried to make a cross-crease play to Zam Plante on the doorstep, but was intercepted. Thompson drove to the net to regain possession and had his shot stopped. Celebrini collected the rebound, calmed the puck, and scored on Elias' glove side to give the Steel a 2-0 lead.

Six minutes later, the Steel power play struck again. Celebrini carried the puck to the top of the offensive zone and connected with a streaking Plante. Plante dangled and toe-dragged before releasing a shot. Plante's shot bounced over Elias' pad and into the net for his second goal in two games and a 3-0 Chicago advantage.

At the midway point, the Steel scored their fourth straight goal. Chris Able carried the puck from the point into the slot before finding Jack Harvey in the right circle. Harvey fired a one-timer which bounced off Elias for a wide rebound. Celebrini pounced on the rebound and fired the puck past a diving Elias for his second goal of the night and a 4-0 lead.

Stark's elite performance continued throughout the period, as the Capitols struggled to beat him. Stark stopped all 17 shots faced in the frame.

Five minutes into the third period, the Capitols finally snuck the puck past Stark. A turnover in the neutral zone led to a Madison two-on-one rush. Jack Musa carried the puck into the zone before making a quick pass to Miko Matikka. Matikka made a few strides before releasing a wrister past Stark's glove-side.

Matikka's shot would be the only goal Stark let up in the contest.

After the holiday break, the Steel face off against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Wednesday, Dec. 28 at ImOn Ice Arena, following the USHL holiday break, for the last game of a long stretch of road games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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:
Wednesday, December 28 at Cedar Rapids Roughriders (7:05 p.m. CT)
Friday, December 30 vs Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 p.m. CT) - Slumberland Family Pack Game | Post-Game Skate for Fans
Saturday, December 31 at Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 p.m. CT)
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Players Mentioned

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

#14 Mick Thompson: F; 5' 8"; Harvard University

#17 Macklin Celebrini: F; 6' 0"; Boston University

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

Players Mentioned

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

#14 Mick Thompson
: 5' 8"; Harvard University
: F

#17 Macklin Celebrini
: 6' 0"; Boston University
: F

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