Men's Ice Hockey 12/3/2022 10:29:00 PM Chicago Steel

PERRON REGISTERS HAT TRICK IN 7-4 VICTORY OVER MUSKEGON

Celebrini registers five points, Thompson four as Steel sweep weekend series

GENEVA, ILLINOIS – Jayden Perron registered a hat trick, and Macklin Celebrini added five points as the Chicago Steel (14-5-1-1; 30 pts) defeated the Muskegon Lumberjacks (10-8-1-0; 21 pts) 7-4 Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena to sweep a weekend series between the teams.
A tie game heading into the third period, the Steel scored all three goals in the deciding frame and won going away, snapping a string of eight consecutive one goal games.

In addition to Perron and Celebrini's offensive fireworks, forward Mick Thompson had four assists and Jake Livanavage added a pair of helpers.

The first period saw quality chances from both teams, including a close call just minutes into the game after Steel goalie Christian Manz came out of the net to play the puck and inadvertently passed it to a Muskegon player, forcing Manz to make a quick glove save to keep the game scoreless.

Jayden Perron opened the scoring shortly after. Macklin Celebrini carried the puck into the zone and took the put to the net. As Celebrini was taken off his feet and slid towards the net, the puck was left open for a streaking Perron to take a quick bar-down shot at the doorstep to gain the lead.

Halfway through the first period, an odd-man rush presented itself to the Lumberjacks. Michael Callow made a long pass, meant for Jake Richard, which was controlled by Owen Mehlenbacher for a patient shot between the circles to tie the game at 1-1.

Nearing the end of the first period, Muskegon took advantage of a power play opportunity. A bouncing puck left the stick of Sacha Boisvert and found its way to Jake Richard, who wound up for a slapshot power play goal to put the Lumberjacks in front.

Less than a minute later, Muskegon struck again. A cross-ice pass made its way to Jack Sparkes at the point. Sparkes carried the puck to the top of the right circle for a wrister that snuck past Manz' glove for his first goal of the season and a 3-1 Muskegon lead.

The Steel came out for the second period looking for revenge. A strong shift by Celebrini and Perron saw Celebrini make a toe drag pass to Perron between the circles for a goal just 23 seconds into the period. It was Perron's 11^th of the season.

Celebrini's line's chemistry continued to shine as the period progressed. Mick Thompson in the neutral zone found Celebrini at the offensive zone blue line after gathering a bounce pass off the boards from Jake Livanavage. Celebrini patiently toe dragged before unleashing a shot between the legs of Muskegon goaltender Raythan Robbins to tie the game 3-3.

Midway through the second, Lumberjacks forward Sacha Boisvert received a five minute major and a game misconduct for boarding. Shortly after, Steel forward Chris Delaney received a minor penalty and a ten-minute misconduct for checking from behind.

In the ensuing four-on-four, Perron fought through traffic to make a pass to Celebrini below the net. Celebrini found Michael Hagens for a centering pass. Hagens lifted the puck past Robbins glove for his second goal of the weekend, briefly putting the Steel in front.

As time wound down in the second, Muskegon laid on the pressure. Following a battle against the boards, traffic built in front of Manz. Mehlenbacher's initial shot bounced off Manz' mask, back into his possession. The puck trickled towards Cody Croal, whose shot made it just past the reach of Manz' left skate to tie the game at 4-4.

Following a high sticking double minor by Muskegon, Perron completed the hat trick eight minutes into the third period on the power play for his 12^th goal of the season. Thompson carried the puck behind the net and found Perron at the bottom of the left circle for a quick wrister to gain the lead.

The Steel's power play wasn't done. Celebrini tallied his second goal of the night, and fifth point less than two minutes later for another power play goal. Thompson made a pass to Zam Plante on the doorstep, whose shot careened across the crossbar and found Celebrini on the other side. The puck bounced off Celebrini's skate to his stick blade for the goal.

As time wound down in the game and the Steel on the penalty kill with Muskegon's net empty in favor of an extra attacker, Chris Delaney sent the puck down the ice to register his first goal of the season.

Chrisitan Manz stopped 36 of 40 shots to pick up the win in net for Chicago.

The Steel head to the road next weekend to start a stretch of five straight away games. Chicago will take on Team USA U18 on Friday, Dec. 9 before visiting Muskegon on Saturday, Dec. 10.

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:
Friday, December 9 at Team USA U18 (7:05 pm ET)
Saturday, December 10 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:10 pm ET)
Friday, December 16 at Madison (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

#7 Jake Livanavage: D; 5' 11"; University of North Dakota

#10 Chris Delaney: F; 5' 6"; Umass-Amherst

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

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

#18 Jayden Perron: F; 5' 9"; University of North Dakota

Players Mentioned

#7 Jake Livanavage
: 5' 11"; University of North Dakota
: D

#10 Chris Delaney
: 5' 6"; Umass-Amherst
: F

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

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

#18 Jayden Perron
: 5' 9"; University of North Dakota
: F