General 12/16/2023 9:15:00 PM

Late Third Period Goal Lifts Lumberjacks Over Steel

Sisson, Byfuglien, Wilmott score consecutive goals in third but Steel comeback falls just short

MUSKEGON, MI — The Steel erased a 3-0 deficit with three straight second period goals from Kolin Sisson, Thor Byfuglien, and Ben Wilmott, but a goal from Justin Solovey with two minutes left in regulation stomped out the comeback bid as Chicago (8-16-1-1, 18 pts.) dropped a tough 4-3 loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks (15-9-1-1, 32 pts.) at Trinity Health Arena Saturday night.

Kolin Sisson showed off some great hand-eye coordination on a deflection goal to open the Steel scoring in the second period, followed by a wicked snipe from defenseman Thor Byfuglien just past the halfway mark. Ben Wilmott scored his first career USHL goal to cap off a three-goal period and tie the game at three.

Steel goaltender Louka Cloutier came on in relief in the opening period and had a spectacular performance in the crease, making 27 saves on 28 shots in defeat.

After finishing Friday night's game with three unanswered goals, the Lumberjacks kept the same tempo and scored three goals in 2:14 to open Saturday's game.

Just 56 seconds into action, a snipe from the left circle by Ethan Whitcomb unleashed a volley of teddy bears from the home crowd for Teddy Bear Toss night.

Whitcomb was left open while skating in from the blue line at the left side and had plenty of time to shoot.

Muskegon continued to give the Steel fits as Justin Solovey scored 30 seconds later on a great spinning pass from below the icing line from Whitcomb.

After a turnover in their own end sprung a 2-on-1 for Muskegon, Ty Henricks led the rush and carried in on the left wing with Jack Galanek to his right, elected shot and scored to cap off the three-goal siege.

After a goalie change, Louka Cloutier was tested with a handful of odd-man rushes and stopped each one with poise.

Cloutier was tasked with stopping ten difficult shots and kept each one out.

The Steel came out of the locker room with fire in their belly and began what would be a three-goal second period for their side.

At 6:37 of the middle frame, a puck rolled up the left wall to Thor Byfuglen who hit a one-timer to the net where Kolin Sisson tipped the puck to sneak it by Lumberjacks netminder Beau Lane.

It was Sisson's fifth goal of the year and fourth in the month of December.

Just past the halfway point, Steel forward Ben Wilmott took a hit in neutral ice that sparked a response from defenseman Price Grimes that created a sizable ruckus. Grimes and Joey DelGreco were handed ten minute misconducts after the gathering, and Bauer Berry and Teddy Spitznagel were given ten minute misconduct penalties as well.

The "Malice in Muskegon" gave a much-needed jolt for Chicago, as the tempo of the game changed for the better for the road team.

Another six minutes rolled by until the Steel pounced on an opportunity once again. Mick Thompson gained possession just outside Muskegon's zone, and while falling, dished a beautiful pass to Byfuglien at the blue line.

Byfuglien had room to skate and walked into the high slot and ripped a wrist shot past Lane to make it a 3-2 game.

The Steel pushed further and made it a brand new hockey game five minutes later as Wilmott grabbed a rebound off a deflected shot and scored the first goal of his USHL career to tie the game at three.

The Steel outshot Muskegon 13-9 in the second period.

Cloutier was again peppered with shots from dangerous spots and saw half a dozen odd-man chances for the Lumberjacks but stood tall to keep the Steel tied in the first half of the third period.

It had all the looks of a game that would reach overtime, but the Lumberjacks scored off a broken play as Solovey found the back of the net with two minutes left in regulation to take a 4-3 lead.

Chicago pulled Cloutier and came narrowly close to tying the game, including an open point-blank look for Sisson with 1:30 left, but he was turned away. The Steel could not find the equalizer and fell in a heartbreaking loss.

Chicago will head to the league holiday break before returning to action just before the New Year.

After a game in Madison on Friday, Dec. 29, 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 a limited time, the Steel are offering the Holiday Hat Trick ticket pack which includes one ticket to the team's December 30 game, plus an additional ticket to two games of your choice, plus a Steel foam puck hat.

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

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, December 29 at Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, December 30 vs. Madison Capitols (6:05 pm CT) | Steel Bucket Hat Giveaway (first 500 fans) presented by Meyer Signs & Graphics | Post-Game Skate with Steel
Friday, January 5 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

#25 Thor Byfuglien: D; 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University

#3 Price Grimes: Defense; 6' 3"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire

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

#10 Joey DelGreco: Forward; 5' 10"; Freshman; Augustana University

#29 Ben Wilmott: Forward; 6' 0"; Freshman; Northeastern University

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

Players Mentioned

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

#25 Thor Byfuglien
: 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University
: D

#3 Price Grimes
: 6' 3"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire
: Defense

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

#10 Joey DelGreco
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Augustana University
: Forward

#29 Ben Wilmott
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Northeastern University
: Forward

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