General 12/1/2023 9:44:00 PM

Steel Drop Opener of Home-and-Home with Capitols

Charlie Major scores team-leading ninth goal for Chicago

MIDDLETON, WI — Charlie Major was the lone scorer as the Chicago Steel (5-12-1-1, 12 pts.) fell to the Madison Capitols (10-6-3-2, 25 pts.) 6-1 at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena Friday night in a game the Capitols never trailed.

Charlie Major scored his team-leading ninth goal of the year and recorded five shots on goal. Mick Thompson and Ben Yurchuk picked up assists on the score.

Madison got the first great look of the game early in the first period following a Steel turnover in its own end.

Austin Burnevik picked up the loose puck and attempted to outwait Steel goaltender Christian Manz and wrap around his glove side, but Manz went all-out and made a wonderful stop with the glove while down on the ice.

The Capitols stayed heavy on the puck and managed to earn the game's first goal at 6:06 of the first frame.

Following a 4-on-2 entry into the attacking end, James Hong received a pass from Jack Brandt at the left circle with plenty of open space, and picked the far corner to open the scoring.

Just under two minutes later, Madison added another score after Rainers Rullers fired a one-timer goal from a sharp angle to pad the lead.

Chicago did not allow the pair of goals to put them down as Charlie Major notched his ninth goal of the year thanks to some pretty passing from Mick Thompson to get within one. Ben Yurchuk added a helper on the Steel's first goal.

The Capitols got their first power play in the second period, but it was the Steel who had the best chance in the two minutes while shorthanded.

With :40 left on the kill, the Steel cleared its own end with Yurchuk parked in neutral ice along with Major. Yurchuk tried to corral a bouncing puck, but instead sent a perfect kick-pass to Major who got behind Madison's defense and put a shot on goal.

Madison goaltender Carsen Musser made the stop and allowed a big rebound, allowing Yurchuk to follow up with a shot, but Musser got just enough leather on the puck to slow it down and knock the puck away as it trickled towards the goal line.

The Steel offense continued to bend the knee of the Capitols as Thompson nearly got a wraparound by the left pad of Musser, but the Madison netminder kept it out with the blade of his skate and stymied off a second attempt by Thompson.

Madison continued to weather the Steel storm and scored the only goal of the second period on a fluky play that saw the puck bounce around the slot on a centering pass, but Brendan Lamb put it home to extend the Capitols' lead to 3-1.

Just over one minute into the third period, the Capitols continued to build on their offensive momentum as Andrew Kuzma ripped a shot past a partially-screened Manz to make it a three-goal lead.

The Capitols received a power play chance soon after their fourth goal and stayed on the gas as Austin Burnevik scored his 11^th goal of the season and first on the power play on a one-timer from the right dot after a display of textbook passing to make it 5-1.

Chicago got a man advantage late in the game and couldn't convert, as it was instead Burnevik who was sprung right out of the penalty box on a breakaway and scored his second goal of the night.

Burnevik's goal rounded out the scoring in a 6-1 Madison win. Steel goaltender Christian Manz made 21 saves on 27 shots.

Chicago heads home to round out the weekend with a pair of games on Dec. 2 and 3, with Saturday's matchup the second portion of the home-and-home against the Capitols. The Steel will take on the USA Hockey NTDP on Sunday.

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 a sensory room, limited loud music, no goal horns with ASL celebrations and other accommodations.

Sunday, 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, December 2 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) | 20^th Anniversary Celebration of Elf
Sunday, December 3 vs. Team USA NTDP (3:05 pm CT) | Celebration of Inclusion Presented by Rising Lights Project and Laura Henrikson Realtor | Steel Family Pack Game
Friday, December 8 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#23 Jack Brandt: F; 5' 10"; Uncommitted

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

#17 Ben Yurchuk: Forward; 5' 9"; Freshman; Northeastern University

Players Mentioned

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

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

#23 Jack Brandt
: 5' 10"; Uncommitted
: F

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

#17 Ben Yurchuk
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Northeastern University
: Forward