Men's Ice Hockey 12/28/2022 10:38:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL WINNING STREAK HALTED AT SEVEN

Moldenhauer and Joyce score as Cedar Rapids rides early lead to victory

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA— In their first action following the USHL's holiday break, the Chicago Steel (18-6-1-1; 38 pts) saw their seven-game win streak snapped in a 7-2 loss to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (11-10-2-1; 25 pts) Wednesday night at ImOn Ice Arena in Cedar Rapids.
It was Chicago's first regulation loss since Nov. 5, ending a 12-game point streak. Nick Moldenhauer and Nolan Joyce tallied goals and Macklin Celebrini registered two assists for the Steel.

Cedar Rapids took a 3-0 first period lead and never relented. The RoughRiders have won the first two meetings of the season between these two teams.

The RoughRiders took advantage of their first period chances, scoring three times on eight shots on goal. The first opportunity came on a Chicago turnover at its own blue line. A quick transition by Cedar Rapids led to a two-on-none opportunity which Dylan Hryckowian finished with his 11^th goal of the season.

The score remained 1-0 until the late stages of the period when an aggressive Cedar Rapids forecheck created another turnover at the Steel blue line. Liam Lesakowski controlled the loose puck at the left boards and found teammate JJ Wiebusch cutting to the net. Instead of attempting a backhand shot, Wiebusch dumped the puck to Jacob Kraft for a one-time shot over the left shoulder of Stark for Kraft's sixth goal of the season.

Less than two minutes later, Hryckowian won the chase to a loose puck, beating a Steel defender into the Chicago zone before whipping a cross-ice pass that was deflected but ended up on the stick of teammate Zaccharya Wisdom who scored his first goal of the night.
Chicago cut the deficit to two early in the second period. After Mick Thompson drew a penalty, the Steel's league-leading power play lit the lamp. Nick Moldenhauer and Macklin Celebrini led a rush into the Cedar Rapids zone, splitting defenders with a beautiful give-and-go that ended up with Moldenhauer scoring his 14^th goal of the season.

After a Steel penalty for too many men on the ice, Cedar Rapids capitalized just 16 seconds into its first power play of the night. Eric Pohlkamp drilled a slapshot from the point that beat Stark for a 4-1 RoughRiders lead.

In the third period, with Cedar Rapids on the power play, Kraft scored his second goal of the night, redirecting a shot from the point from Pohlkamp to give the RoughRiders a 5-1 advantage.

Wisdom, the RoughRiders leading scorer, scored his second goal of the game and 16^th of the season later in the third period, capitalizing on a rebound in front of the net following a RoughRiders odd man rush.

Steel defenseman Nolan Joyce scored his third goal of the season with a slapshot off a feed from Celebrini with under three minutes remaining in regulation. Jordan Brisson added an assist on Joyce's first goal since Sept. 30.

Tyson Gross scored an empty net goal for Cedar Rapids in the final minute to cap the scoring.

RoughRiders goalie Bruno Bruveris stopped 17 of 19 shots to earn the victory.

The Steel loss snapped Jack Stark's nine-game winning streak in net as the Steel netminder dropped just his second decision of the season, his first defeat since Oct. 1.

The Steel return to the Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday, Dec. 30 when they host the Green Bay Gamblers at a special 6:05 p.m. start time. 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:
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

#4 Nolan Joyce: D; 6' 3"; Boston College

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

#12 Jordan Brisson: F; 6' 1"; Colorado College

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

#4 Nolan Joyce
: 6' 3"; Boston College
: D

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

#12 Jordan Brisson
: 6' 1"; Colorado College
: F

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

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