General 10/21/2023 10:11:00 PM

Steel Earn Point in Overtime Heartbreaker Saturday

Thompson, Brisson score, Manz makes 40 saves in loss on overtime penalty shot

GENEVA, IL — For the first since winning their season opener at the USHL Fall Classic, the Chicago Steel (1-6-1-0, 2 pts.) registered a point, falling 3-2 on an overtime penalty shot against the Youngstown Phantoms (6-3-0-0) at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Saturday night.

Mick Thompson scored his fourth goal of the season, and Jordan Brisson scored his first goal this year for the Steel.

Battling against a rolling Phantoms squad, the Steel started against the defending Clark Cup champions on a high note.

Just under three minutes into the game, Mick Thompson circled in from behind the net and below the right circle and released a shot that snuck through the right arm of Phantoms goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz.

It was Thompson's fourth goal of the year and extended his goal streak to three games. Kolin Sisson and Jordan Brisson added assists on the opening goal.

The Steel took a 1-0 lead into the second period, marking the first time this season the Steel had a lead following a period of regulation play.

That lead did not stand for long, as Youngstown came out early in the second period down a man, but still managed to find a way back into the game.

After a three-on-one zone entry, Andrew Strathmann was forced behind the net, but found Miles Gunty in the slot who shoveled the loose puck by the left pad of Steel goaltender Christian Manz for a shorthanded goal.

It was the second shorthanded score for Youngstown this year, and the third shorthanded goal against for Chicago.

The Phantoms took the lead for the first time nine minutes later. After established pressure in the attacking end, a point shot from Tory Pitner made its way through traffic in front of the net and in.

Strathmann had another assist on the goal for his league-leading eighth assist of the year.

Chicago found the inner dog in them a minute and a half after losing their lead.

Following an untimely turnover in front of Bartoszkiewicz, Sisson dropped a pass to Ben Wilmott, who put a shot off the pad of the Phantoms' goalie, but the puck bounced immediately to Jordan Brisson. The Colorado College made no mistake and fired into the open net to tie the game at two.

The third period saw no scoring from either team, but both Bartoszkiewicz and Manz exchanged clutch saves over the duration of the final frame to keep the game deadlocked at two and send it to overtime for the second time this season for Chicago.

Youngstown nearly ended the game just seconds in, but Manz made a huge blocker save on a two-on-one to keep Chicago in it.

The Steel flipped the script and almost got the extra point after Charlie Major got a chance right on the doorstep, but a pileup in Youngstown's goal crease miraculously kept the puck out.

Chicago got a two-on-one with under two minutes to play with Michael Hage and Ben Yurchuk. Hage carried through on the right wing and sent a great pass to Yurchuk on the near side, but Bartoszkiewicz made another remarkable stop to keep the puck out.

The denial by Bartoszkiewicz sprung an odd man chance the other way, and after taking a slash on a breakaway, Zach Morin was awarded a penalty shot.

With the game on the line, Morin picked the top corner blocker-side and sniped his third goal of the season to give the Phantoms a gutsy 3-2 win.

Christian Manz had another fantastic night in net, making 40 saves on 43 shots in the loss.

The Steel will travel to take on the Sioux City Musketeers next weekend on Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28. Puck drop is 7:05 pm CT for Friday's game and 6:05 pm CT on Saturday.

The next home games for Chicago will be the first weekend of November on Friday, Nov. 3 for Turtle Races in partnership with Hickory Knolls Discovery Center and Saturday, Nov. 4 for Napoleon Dynamite Night. After Saturday night's game, fans can Skate with the Steel. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT for both games.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, October 27 at Sioux City Musketeers (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, October 28 at Sioux City Musketeers (6:05 pm CT)
Friday, November 3 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Turtle Races in partnership with Hickory Knolls Discovery Center

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#12 Jordan Brisson

#14 Mick Thompson

#35 Christian Manz

Players Mentioned

#12 Jordan Brisson

#14 Mick Thompson

#35 Christian Manz