Men's Ice Hockey 12/9/2022 9:27:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL SPOIL USA COMEBACK WITH 5-4 SHOOTOUT VICTORY FRIDAY

Slipec and Arneson each record first USHL goal; Harvey adds two assists

PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN— The Chicago Steel (15-5-1-1; 32 pts) secured a shootout victory over Team USA (U18) (11-5-1-2; 25 pts) in a wildly entertaining contest between the two teams Friday night at USA Hockey Arena.

USA scored three straight goals in the third period to tie the game at 4-4 and force the game to overtime. After a back-and-forth overtime littered with chances for each team, Macklin Celebrini secured the Steel win with a shootout goal in the fourth round.

The Steel have won four in a row and have earned a point in each of their last nine games.

The first period started with each team earning opportunities, including a two-on-one opportunity for Team USA that was broken up between the circles. Steel goaltender Jack Stark held his own throughout the period, stopping all 12 shots faced. Stark shut down both USA power plays that saw several quality chances for the U18s.

Michael Emerson opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game. After a feed from Nick Moldenhauer sprung him on a partial breakaway, Emerson carried the puck into the zone, patiently toe-dragged and quickly released the puck between USA goaltender Trey Augustine's pad and glove for his twelfth of the season.

Later in the period, on a two-on-one opportunity, Grayden Slipec doubled the Steel lead off a cross-ice feed from Cameron Johnson. Johnson carried the puck into the zone before finding Slipec who shot the puck on a one-timer to the top right corner of the net for his first USHL goal.

Midway through the second period, Mick Thompson extended his point streak to three games with a power play goal to give Chicago a 3-0 lead.

With the Steel controlling in the offensive zone, Jack Harvey held the puck below the left circle, waiting for an opening. Harvey found Thompson in the slot for a quick shot that snuck past Augustine's glove. It was Thompson's ninth of the season and he now has six points in his last three games.

Alex Weiermair got USA on the board late in the second, cutting the Steel lead to 3-1. Salvatore Guzzo passed the puck to an open Weiermair below the goal line. Weiermair held the puck before shooting from an odd-angle below the goal line. The puck took an unfortunate bounce for Chicago, deflecting off Stark and into the net.

Following a close call in the Steel defensive zone early in the third period, the Steel increased their lead to 4-1. In an odd sequence, Brady Arneson carried the puck into the offensive zone and took a hard shot. The puck bounced off the glass and deflected towards the USA goal where it hit a USA player and ended up in the net. After a video review, the goal was upheld and Arneson was credited with his first USHL goal.

With 12 minutes remaining in regulation, the ice flipped as USA mounted an impressive push which led to three goals within a span of just over five minutes.

It began with a broken Steel stick which led to an unfortunate turnover in the Steel defensive zone. Austin Burnevik gained possession by the blueline, forcing a breakaway. Burnevik dangled in front of Stark before scoring on a backhand shot.

USA struck again two minutes later. Stark made an initial save on Beckett Hendrickson, but the puck was forced loose. Traffic built in front of Stark and the puck bounced to Ryan Leonard who took advantage of the chaos to score and cut the Steel lead to one at 4-3.

USA tied the game at 4-4 less than three minutes later. Oliver Moore won a draw to the right of Stark, putting the puck on the stick of Burnevik. Burnevik quickly created space to score his second goal of the night.

Despite a close chance by Jayden Perron with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, the Steel couldn't break the tie and the game went to overtime.

With USA controlling the majority of chances in the extra session, Stark's stellar performance forced the game to a shootout.

After each team scored in the first two frames, including Chicago goals by Grayden Slipec and Nick Moldenhauer, the two goalies came up with saves in the third round.

In the fourth round, Celebrini went forehand-backhand in front of the net and shoved the puck past Augustine's left skate for the game winner. At the other end, Ryan Fine's shot missed the net as the Steel celebrated the victory.

Stark made 28 saves and has now won six straight games. Stark's record now stands at 7-1-0-0 with a GAA of 2.71 and a SV% of .925.

Jack Harvey's two assists increased his league-leading point total to 34 (18G, 16A) and marked his 13^th multi-point outing of the season in 22 games.

Chicago heads to Muskegon to take on the Lumberjacks tomorrow night at 7:10 p.m. ET. It is the fourth meeting of the year between the Steel and Lumberjacks with Chicago having won the previous three, including a pair of wins last weekend at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

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 10 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:10 p.m. ET)
Friday, December 16 at Madison Capitols (7:05 p.m. CT)
Saturday, December 17 at Madison Capitols (7:05 p.m. CT)

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Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec: F; 5' 10"; University of North Dakota

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

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

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec
: 5' 10"; University of North Dakota
: F

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

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

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec

#9 Nick Moldenhauer

#13 Jack Harvey

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec

#9 Nick Moldenhauer

#13 Jack Harvey