Men's Ice Hockey 1/13/2023 10:12:00 PM Chicago Steel

MAJOR’S LATE GOAL HELPS STEEL TOPPLE CAPITOLS 5-3 FRIDAY

Major, Emerson and Harvey each record two points in contest

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— The Chicago Steel (21-8-1-1; 44 pts) recovered from a two-goal deficit to win for the sixth time this season, defeating the Madison Capitols (7-22-1-1; 16 pts) 5-3 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena Friday, Jan. 13.

Charlie Major broke a 3-3 tie with a shorthanded goal with just over two minutes remaining in the game to help the Steel to their fifth road victory of the season against the Capitols.

Major, Michael Emerson, and Jack Harvey each recorded a goal and an assist in the contest.

On their first shot on goal less than two minutes after puck drop, the Steel opened scoring. Zam Plante circled in the Steel defensive zone, shaking off his defenders. Plante found a streaking Cameron Johnson at the top of the offensive zone with an impressive long pass. Johnson faked right and shot left to beat Capitols goaltender Mason Kucenski.

The first period saw a number of chances in both directions, including a late point-blank stop by Christian Manz. Jack Musa tested Manz with a dangerous scoring opportunity off a rebound, but Manz held his own and maintained the Steel's one goal lead.

Musa would later get his revenge with less than two minutes left in the first to tie the game. Off a draw in the Capitols offensive zone, the puck was launched back to Brady Yakesh. Yakesh passed to Trey Ausmus at the opposite end of the blue line for a shot which was tipped by Musa in the slot and redirected past Manz to tie the game 1-1.

The Capitols came out with speed to start the second period. Four minutes into the period, Jonah Aegerter picked Michael Hagens' pocket in the Steel offensive zone. Aegerter made a strong push into the Capitols' offensive zone with three Steel defenders on his tail and found Matt McGroarty fresh off the bench who quickly found Andrew Kuzma in the slot. Kuzma calmed the puck and took a shot to beat Manz on the blocker side to gain the lead.

Less than two minutes later, Madison found the back of the net again. Ausmus' pass from the point didn't quite connect with Musa but was quickly collected. Musa found Yakesh at the point who stick handled, waiting for an opening, and beat Manz through the screen to give the Capitols a brief two-goal lead.

Under a minute later, the Steel struck back. Jack Harvey intercepted a pass in the Steel defensive zone and pushed through the neutral zone with Michael Emerson by his side. Harvey passed to Emerson, who carried the puck into the offensive zone. Emerson's pass to Harvey between the circles couldn't be handled, but Harvey collected the puck along the boards behind Kucenski. Harvey passed back to Emerson along the goal line who shoveled the puck behind Kucenski's skate to cut the Capitols lead to 3-2.

Less than two minutes later, the Steel tied the game. Charlie Major carried the puck through the neutral zone before making a backwards pass to Chris Delaney at the top of the offensive zone. Despite being hounded by the Capitols defense, Delaney powered through to the net, releasing a wrister in the center of the left circle that soared past Kucenski's glove to tie the game at 3-3.

Despite a number of opportunities in both directions, both goaltenders stood strong and kept the third period scoreless for most of the frame. Kucenski turned away two breakaway opportunities including one for Major with 4:30 to play.

Major would get his revenge just over two minutes later, sprung on a shorthanded breakaway when Hunter Hady launched the puck out of the defensive zone along the boards. Major collected the puck and faced Kucenski one-on-one. Major stickhandled in front of the net before releasing a wrister that beat Kucenski on his glove side.

With Madison pressing for the game-tying goal, Jack Harvey topped off the Steel win with an empty net goal, his league-leading 24^th of the season.

Christian Manz stopped 23 of 26 shots faced to earn his 11^th victory of the season.

The two teams meet again tomorrow night at the Fox Valley Ice Arena for Chicago's annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental. Fans are encouraged to bring new or unused teddy bears to toss on the ice after the first Steel goal against the Madison Capitols. All teddy bears will be donated to local hospitals and charities.

Following this weekend, the Steel are home again for a pair of games. The Steel take on the Waterloo Black Hawks Friday, January 20 for Tie-Dye Day presented by McCormick FONA. Saturday, January 21, the Steel face the Des Moines Buccaneers for Star Wars Night presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics.

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, January 14 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 p.m. CT) – Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental
Friday, January 20 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks (7:05 p.m. CT) – Tie-Dye Day presented by McCormick FONA with a special jersey auction to benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation
Saturday, January 21 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers (7:05 p.m. CT) – Star Wars Night presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#35 Christian Manz: G; 6' 0"; Augustana University

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#35 Christian Manz
: 6' 0"; Augustana University
: G