General 12/13/2023 12:57:00 PM

NTDP Scores Four Straight en route To High-Scoring Win

Five different Steel skaters score in bruising 8-5 game

PLYMOUTH, MI — Despite the Steel getting ahead early and scoring three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead in the second period, USA Hockey NTDP (9-9-1-1, 20 pts.) scored four consecutive goals late in the second period as Chicago (8-14-1-1, 18 pts.) fell 8-5 at USA Hockey Arena Wednesday morning.

In an entertaining contest in front of a sold-out crowd of area students, Kolin Sisson was credited with the game's opening goal just 1:12 into action that opened a big scoring stretch in the first. Owen Tylec then scored his third goal of the year at the end of the first period, followed by Ben Yurchuk and Tobias Ohman each scoring on breakaways in the second period.

Michael Hage added Chicago's final goal while shorthanded on a nifty move 4:24 into the third period.

Chicago had two leads in the game, 1-0 and 4-3, but each evaporated quickly, resulting in the Steel being ahead in the contest for only 32 seconds of game time.

The Steel came out with poise to start the morning action, scoring on their first shot of the game.

After shutting down the NTDP at the blue line, Chicago broke out of its zone 3-on-3. Mick Thompson carried in along the left wall and sent the puck on net, which rattled around the blue paint before Sisson whacked it into the back of the net.

It was an important opening goal for the Steel, as the NTDP's Christian Humphreys scored just :19 later to tie the game at one.

Chicago received a power play :26 after the USA goal, but the U18s scored twice while shorthanded after a snipe from Teddy Stiga before Max Plante fired his second USHL goal of the season to give the NTDP a 3-1 lead.

The first four goals of the game, one for Chicago and three for the NTDP, were scored in the game's first 3:43.

The Steel stayed strong against a heavy push from the U18s and took a goal back after Owen Tylec found twine off a Michael Hage rebound at the left side of the net to bring the Steel back to within one.

The NTDP put 17 shots on net in the opening period to the Steel's six.

With a timely goal to end the first period, the Steel opened the second period with urgency and got on the board just under three minutes in.

Chicago halted the NTDP at its blue line, where Tobias Ohman hit Ben Yurchuk on an outlet pass. Yurchuk carried in on a half-breakaway at the left wing and beautifully picked the glove-side corner for his sixth goal of the season to tie the game at three.

Ohman received some good karma after his assist and got a breakaway of his own four minutes later. Like Yurchuk, Ohman picked the glove side of U18 goaltender Nick Kempf to put Chicago in front for the second time.

Ohman's goal was his second of the year and first since Sept. 29, capping off three consecutive goals scored by the Steel.

Again, however, the Steel lead was short-lived. Just :13 later, Max Plante scored his second goal of the day to tie the game at four, opening up a barrage of scoring from the U18s as they scored four straight goals in eleven minutes to round out the second period.

Austin Baker's goal at 11:35 put the NTDP in front 5-4 before Shane Vansaghi and Kristian Epperson scored unassisted goals to extend USA's lead to 7-4 heading into the third period.

The Steel broke the NTDP's consecutive goal stretch to start the third period as they scored a shorthanded goal of their own after USA's two in the opening frame.

Hage used his great speed and weaved behind the U18 defense and made a great play to move from his backhand to the forehand and roof a wrist shot. It was the first shorthanded goal for Hage this year and just the second for the Steel.

With under five minutes to play, the NTDP put the finishing touches on the game with a power play goal from James Hagens to cap the scoring.

Chicago goaltender Christian Manz made 21 saves on 27 shots before Louka Cloutier came in to start the third period, making eight saves on nine shots.

The Steel will stay in Michigan and face the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Friday, Dec. 15 and Saturday, Dec. 16, with both games starting at 6:10 pm CT.

Chicago returns to home ice on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 6:05 pm for a Steel Bucket Hat Giveaway (first 500 fans) presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics.

Dec. 30 features a post-game Skate with the Steel, where fans can bring their own skates or rent a pair and hit the ice with the team after the game.

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, December 15 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 pm CT)
Saturday, December 16 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 pm CT)
Friday, December 29 at Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#7 Kolin Sisson: Forward; 5' 9"; Freshman; Providence College

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

#23 Tobias Ohman: Forward; 5' 8"; Freshman

#24 Owen Tylec: Forward; 5' 10"; Freshman

#1 Louka Cloutier: Goaltender; 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#7 Kolin Sisson
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Providence College
: Forward

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

#23 Tobias Ohman
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: Forward

#24 Owen Tylec
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: Forward

#1 Louka Cloutier
: 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha
: Goaltender