General 10/6/2023 8:10:00 PM

Steel Fall in Youngstown 5-3 on Friday

Michael Hage scores twice; Hagens tallies goal and assist for Steel

YOUNGSTOWN, OH — The Chicago Steel (1-4-0-0, 2 pts.) scored early to kick things off, but the Youngstown Phantoms (2-2-0-0, 4 pts.) answered back with up five straight goals and pulled away for a 5-3 win at Covelli Centre Friday night.

Michael Hage had two goals for the Steel in defeat and goaltender Christian Manz stopped 37 shots.

Chicago entered Friday night's game on a three-game losing streak, but they started the night on a good note to try to break that hex.

After receiving the puck out of an offensive-zone draw win, Michael Hagens saw an opening and kept the puck on a string. The defenseman skated to his right, deked left, and finally released a powerful snapshot that beat Youngstown goaltender Colin Winn blocker side.

It was Hagens second goal of the year and marked the first time this season the Steel held a lead in regulation.

The lead, unfortunately, did not stand for long. Two and a half minutes after the Chicago goal, the Phantoms almost connected on a close chance in the slot, but maintained possession.

Jack Willson stayed patient and kept his eyes on the net, and fired a point shot that got through traffic and by Christian Manz, who was screened on the goal.

Youngstown surged ahead with two more goals in a span of 1:02 to take a 3-1 lead. The sequence began with a power play goal by Andrew Strathmann, only the third PPG given up by the Steel this season.

The next goal came on a breakaway, one that Manz nearly stopped with a flying poke check, but he couldn't dislodge the puck, resulting in a Zach Morin goal, the Phantoms third in 95 seconds.

The Steel had a power play at the back end of the first period and came inches away from scoring, but couldn't find the back of the net.

Youngstown outshot the Steel 21-5 in a strong first period for the home team.

Youngstown kept the momentum on its side with a goal just 1:25 into the second period followed by another two and a half minutes later. The goals by Brandon Svoboda and Charlie Cerrato gave the Phantoms a commanding 5-1 lead.

Chicago found itself on another man advantage late in the second period, and while their third power play saw an uptick in shots and urgency, the Steel still couldn't muster a goal.

As time wound down in the period, Michael Hage poked the puck away from a Phantoms defenseman on the blue line and sprung himself alone on a breakaway. The Michigan commit got in close and fired a shot over the glove of Winn for his second goal of the season, making it 5-2.

The third period was more balanced as the Steel found their footing at the defensive end. The Steel had several opportunities to try and claw back in the game including given a brief 5-on-3 advantage with just over five minutes to play.

It appeared Chicago got on the board while on the advantage on a deflection goal, but Mick Thompson was called for interference in front of the net, negating the goal and keeping the deficit at three for Chicago.

With their own net empty in the final minute, Hage scored his second goal of the game and third goal of the year.

With his two-goal performance, Michael Hage extended his point streak to five points in the last three games.

Saturday night, the Steel visit Muskegon for a matchup with the Lumberjacks. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:10 pm CT.

Chicago will return to Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday, October 13 to host Waterloo for Freaky Friday the 13^th.

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:
Saturday, October 7 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 pm CT)
Friday, October 13 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks (7:05 pm CT) Freaky Friday the 13^th
Saturday, October 21 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 pm CT) Pucks and Pups presented by PetSuites

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Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens: D; 5' 11"; Harvard University

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

#19 Michael Hage: F; 6' 0"; Uncommitted

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

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens
: 5' 11"; Harvard University
: D

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

#19 Michael Hage
: 6' 0"; Uncommitted
: F

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