Men's Ice Hockey 12/30/2022 8:59:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL SHINE AT HOME IN 4-1 VICTORY FRIDAY

Emerson tallies two goals; Moldenhauer adds three assists; Manz stellar in net

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— In a stirring matchup between the first and second place teams in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Steel (19-6-1-1; 40 pts) scored the last four goals of the game to defeat the Green Bay Gamblers (14-9-1-1; 30 pts) 4-1 Friday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Michael Emerson tallied two goals and added an assist, Nick Moldenhauer had three assists and Jake Livanavage had two points in Chicago's league-leading 19^th victory of the season.

Christian Manz, making his first start in net for Chicago since Dec. 3 after returning from winning gold at the World Junior A Challenge, made 21 saves in backstopping the Steel to victory.

In a battle between two top Eastern Conference contenders, neither team was able to break through in the first 20 minutes.

Green Bay's first scoring chance came eight minutes into action when Barrett Hall was sprung on a breakaway only to have his stick lifted from behind by Steel forward Mick Thompson, negating the chance.

The Steel's two best chances came later in the frame when fancy stickwork by Jordan Brisson created a two-on-one chance with teammate Brady Arneson, but Brisson's stick was lifted by a Gamblers defender as he drove to the net, keeping the game scoreless.

Manz denied the Gamblers early in the second period when he robbed Hagen Moe with a beautiful glove save.

Following the big save, the Gamblers broke the ice. Jimmy Clark shoveled the puck behind the Steel net where Peter Kramer collected and put a backhanded pass into the crease and on the stick of teammate Josh Player who beat Manz for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 Green Bay lead.

The Steel tied the game just over two minutes later. Nick Moldenhauer won an offensive zone draw that Michael Emerson corralled and sent to Jake Livanavage at the right point. Livanavage unleashed a wrister through traffic that beat Green Bay goalie Kristoffer Eberly to even the game at 1-1.

The assist by Moldenhauer extended his point streak to seven games.

Less that two minutes later, Charlie Major gave the Steel the lead with his third goal of the season. Steel defenseman Thor Byfuglien found Major with a crisp pass from his own blue line to the Green Bay blue line. Major split the defense and raced in on Ebberly, beating him glove side to give the Steel their first lead of the night. Hunter Hady assisted on the tally.

It was Major's fourth straight game registering a point for the Steel, a season-high.

The Steel extended the lead early in the third period. Again the play was sprung by a smart pass from a Steel defenseman in his own end. Jake Livanavage found Nick Moldenhauer streaking into the Green Bay zone. Moldenhauer dished the puck to Michael Emerson who cut down the right side, then slid behind the net past an overcommitted Eberly for a wraparound goal.

As the game neared the midway point of the third, each team had a chance with a minute-long 5-on-3 power play chance. Green Bay was able to kill of Chicago's chance with an Emerson defledtion being the Steel's best chance. The Gamblers hit a post during their two-man advantage, but were also unable to capitalize.

After the Steel drew a late power play, it was Emerson who put the exclamation mark on the proceedings, scoring his 16^th goal of the season after a pretty passing play with teammates Mick Thompson and Nick Moldenhauer.

With two goals in the game, Emerson is now tied for second in the USHL with 16 goals, trailing only teammate Jack Harvey (20).

The two teams rematch on Saturday, Dec. 31 at Resch Center in Green Bay. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT.

When the calendar turns to 2023, fans can join the Steel Friday, Jan. 6 for Harry Potter Night and a Celebration of Inclusion presented by the Rising Lights Project on Saturday, Jan. 7. The Steel take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks for the weekend series with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m. both nights.

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 31 at Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 p.m. CT)
Friday, January 6 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 p.m. CT) - Harry Potter Night
Saturday, January 7 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 p.m. CT) – A Celebration of Inclusion presented by Rising Lights Project
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Players Mentioned

#3 Hunter Hady: D; 6' 4"; Uncommitted

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

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

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

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

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

#15 Brady Arneson: F; 5' 10"; Freshman; Maine University

#20 Charlie Major: F; 5' 10"; Cornell University

#25 Thor Byfuglien: D; 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University

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

Players Mentioned

#3 Hunter Hady
: 6' 4"; Uncommitted
: D

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

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

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

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

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

#15 Brady Arneson
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Maine University
: F

#20 Charlie Major
: 5' 10"; Cornell University
: F

#25 Thor Byfuglien
: 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University
: D

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