General 11/24/2023 10:11:00 PM

Steel Fall in Weekend Opener Against Fargo

Manz faces 51 shots as Steel blanked for first time this season

FARGO, ND — The Fargo Force (15-2-1-0, 31 pts.) scored five goals in the third period with three on the power play to break open the contest as the Chicago Steel (5-10-1-1, 12 pts.) fell 8-0 at Scheels Arena on Friday night.

It was the first time this season the Steel were shut out as Force goaltender Hampton Slukynsky stopped 18 shots to earn his second shutout of the season. Force forward Zam Plante registered a hat trick with all three goals coming in the third period.

Steel Goaltender Christian Manz faced 51 shots, tied for the season high in shots allowed by Chicago.

As they have done frequently this season, the Force spent little time to find the back of the net.

Only 5:30 into the contest, the Force created a turnover before Chicago could leave its end. Michael La Starza carried in on the left wing and found Merril Steenari on the back door to open the scoring.

It was Steenari's second goal in just his second game with the Force.

Fargo added to its lead six minutes later after the Steel cleared the zone and started up ice but had the puck stripped by the Force.

With an advantage in numbers, Iiro Hakkarainen skated in a flipped a pass to Peter Cisar who fired to the short side to extend Fargo's lead to 2-0.

The Force outshot the Steel 19-5 in the opening period. In nine games where they have had a lead following the first period, Fargo has won all of them.

The second frame was surprisingly quiet, with no penalties for the entire duration, and no goals for 18 minutes until the Force got on the board once again.

After an extended amount of time in the attacking end, Fargo found an opening, with La Starza sending a pass to a wide-open Brasen Boser at the right circle. With nothing but time, the Fargo defenseman skated in and ripped a shot to the blocker side of Manz to make it a three-goal lead.

Five minutes into the third, defenseman Reid Conn made a hit from behind along the boards leading to a fight, his second this season. The hit resulted in a game misconduct for Conn and a five-minute power play for the Force.

Just over a minute into the man advantage, La Starza scored to make it a 4-0 Fargo lead.

Only :37 later, the team's top scorer, Zam Plante, scored his tenth goal of the year off a rebound in front.

Two minutes after his goal, Plante followed up with another on a snipe over the glove of Manz for the third power play goal of the major penalty in just three minutes.

The Force were not done there. After the power play expired, Gavin Kor got on the board for the second time this season to make it 7-0.

Eighteen seconds after the Force's seventh goal, Plante notched his first hat trick of the year with a deflection in front, making it 8-0 Fargo. The eight goals marked a season high for the Force.

The teams will rematch on Saturday with puck drop scheduled for 6:05 pm CT.

The Steel will play another away game on Friday, December 1 at 7:05 pm CT against the Madison Capitols before returning home Dec. 2 and 3.

Saturday, Dec. 2 is the 20^th Anniversary Celebration of the movie Elf, and Sunday, Dec. 3 is a Celebration of Inclusion presented by Rising Lights Project and Laura Henrikson-Realtor that will feature sensory rooms, limited loud music, no goal horns with ASL celebrations and other accommodations.

Dec. 3 is a Steel Family Pack game where fans can get four tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas/waters and chuck-a-pucks for just $60.

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, November 25 at Fargo Force (6:05 pm CT)
Friday, December 1 at Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, December 2 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) | 20^th Anniversary Celebration of Elf

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Players Mentioned

#27 Zam Plante: F; 5' 10"; University of Minnesota-Duluth

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

#16 Reid Conn: Defense; 6' 5"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire

Players Mentioned

#27 Zam Plante
: 5' 10"; University of Minnesota-Duluth
: F

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

#16 Reid Conn
: 6' 5"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire
: Defense

Players Mentioned

#27 Zam Plante

#35 Christian Manz

#16 Reid Conn

Players Mentioned

#27 Zam Plante

#35 Christian Manz

#16 Reid Conn