General 12/29/2023 10:21:00 PM

Major's Late Goal Stuns Capitols in Comeback Win

Steel rally with three unanswered goals to take weekend opener

MIDDLETON, WI — After trailing 3-1, Chicago clawed its way back with three straight goals from Chris Reiniger, Chris Able, and Charlie Major as the Steel (9-16-1-1, 20 pts.) secured an exciting regulation win over the Madison Capitols (13-7-4-2, 32 pts.) at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena Friday night.

Joey DelGreco scored Chicago's opening goal in the first period, followed by an onslaught of offense as Chris Reiniger scored the first goal of his junior hockey career, followed by Chris Able notching his first goal of the season. Charlie Major completed the comeback with his 13^th goal of the year and league-leading fifth game-winning goal with two minutes left in regulation.

Steel netminder Louka Cloutier posted another great outing in the crease, stopping 24 of 27 shots in his third win this season.

The Capitols got on the board early in the first period to start the contest after a goal from the frequent scorer Austin Burnevik, who notched his league-leading 19^th goal of the season five minutes into the game with a wrist shot from the right circle off a cross-ice feed from teammate Chris Delaney.

Burnevik has scored in each of Madison's last six games.

Madison's lead was short lived, as the Steel replied quickly just 47 seconds later.

Chicago capitalized on a Madison turnover just outside its zone where Mick Thompson sticked his way around a defender and found a streaking Joey DelGreco who deked forehand to backhand around Madison netminder Patriks Berzins for a goal.

Later in the opening frame, the Capitols got a Grade-A look from Delaney on a 2-on-1 chance, but Steel goaltender Louka Cloutier made a snappy glove save to keep the game tied.

In the last minutes of the period, Thor Byfuglien nearly potted his fourth goal of the year on a blistering wrist shot from just above the circles, but the shot rang off the crossbar.

Delaney saw another chance to get on the board four minutes into the second period and did not let the opportunity slip by, sniping a perfect wrist shot off the bar and in to put Madison in front 2-1.

Madison continued to push the pace in the middle frame. Sam Rice was unable to control the puck while entering the Steel zone on a potential breakaway, but made a nice play chasing the puck down and shooting from a sharp angle over the left shoulder of Cloutier to give the Capitols a two-goal lead.

The Steel received a power play late in the second period and badgered Berzins around the blue paint, including what looked to be a slam dunk opportunity for Michael Hage, but the Capitols netminder made a miraculous stop with a stretched out left pad.

With the offense starting to stir, the Steel stayed in the back pocket of the Capitols and found a needed breakthrough as Chris Reiniger scored the first goal of his USHL career off a great feed from Charlie Major to make it 3-2. Reid Conn added a secondary assist on the goal.

Fresh off the late goal, the Steel added its second tally in the last 90 seconds of the period, this one with only two seconds on the scoreboard.

Ben Yurchuk held the puck deep in Madison's zone, dipping and ducking behind the net, and fed a pass to the right circle for Chris Able who smoked his first goal of the season past Berzins to tie the game at three.

Chicago came into the third firing after Thompson saw a breakaway chance just over a minute into action, but Berzins went for a flying poke check and got just enough of the puck to fight it off.

After going the first two periods without a power play, the Capitols received one early in the frame, followed by an abbreviated 5-on-3 later on, but the Steel held strong to keep Madison's power play unit at bay.

The game stayed deadlocked at three until the late stages of regulation when Major came up big in the clutch once again for Chicago.

Following a relentless forecheck from the Steel, Hage corralled the puck off a forced turnover along the right wall and made a pass to Major at the right circle for a one-timer past Berzins with just 2:18 left.

Madison pulled its goaltender with just over a minute to go, but Cloutier and the Steel came up big with timely stops to shut the door and skate home with a 4-3 victory, snapping a four-game losing streak.

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

Saturday's game 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.

Fans can also take advantage of a great deal with the Holiday Hat Trick, where fans can get a ticket to the game plus an additional ticket to two games of choice, plus a Steel foam puck hat.

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 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)
Saturday, January 6 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede (6:05 pm CT) | Boy Band Night | Full Team Post-Game Autographs

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Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Able: D; 6' 2"; Freshman; Ohio State University

#10 Chris Delaney: F; 5' 6"; Umass-Amherst

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Able
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Ohio State University
: D

#10 Chris Delaney
: 5' 6"; Umass-Amherst
: F

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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