General 12/30/2023 10:15:00 PM

Capitols Score Three Consecutive Goals to Down Steel

Steel score late in the third but comeback falls narrowly short as Capitols split weekend series

GENEVA, IL — A late goal from Kolin Sisson with an empty net drew Chicago to within a goal late in the third period, but the Steel were unable to find the equalizer as the Steel (9-17-1-1, 20 pts.) dropped the weekend finale 5-4 to the Madison Capitols (14-7-4-2, 34 pts.) at Fox Valley Ice Arena Saturday night.

Michael Hage scored in the opening period for Chicago, followed by a score by Chris Able, his second goal of the weekend. Mick Thompson got on the board early in the third period, and Kolin Sisson rounded out the scoring for Chicago with a goal with under a minute to play.

Steel netminder Louka Cloutier made 29 saves on 33 shots in defeat.

Back on home ice for the first time since December 9, Chicago had an abundance of energy to start the first period and kept Madison pinned in its own end for most of the first half.

Early on, Jordan Brisson had a great look in the slot off a feed from Kolin Sisson, but his one-timer was denied by Capitols goaltender Carsen Musser.

Madison got on the board off a fluky goal when Ronan O'Donnell flung the puck on net where Steel netminder Louka Cloutier went to deflect the puck into the corner but fanned on it as it bounced off his goalie paddle and in. The goal was O'Donnell's first in the USHL.

Like Friday night, the Steel stayed levelheaded and went to work, finding the equalizer shortly after the Capitols' goal.

Following extended time in the attacking zone, Chris Able found Michael Hage in the slot who fired five hole to tie the game.

Two minutes later, Able was on the goal-scoring side with a persistent effort in the slot.

After his initial shot was blocked, Able took a second swipe at the loose puck and sniped it glove side on Musser for his second goal of the season to put the Steel ahead 2-1.

Able has now scored in back-to-back games and matched his goal total of two from his previous two seasons with the Steel.

Late in the period, James Hong got loose on a half-breakaway behind the Steel defense. Hong's first shot was stopped nicely by Cloutier, but the follow-up wound up in the back of the net to tie the game at two.

Cloutier was busy to start the second period, seeing a pair of dangerous chances on odd-man rushes from the right wing, but the rookie made fantastic glove saves on both of them.

Madison kept up the pressure and moved in front late in the second after a point shot from Charlie Michaud found its way through traffic to give the Capitols a 3-2 lead.

Chicago was inches away from tying the game again with just over a minute left in the frame.

Ben Yurchuk knifed his way through the Madison defense and, one against four, snuck behind everyone to get a great look, but Musser made the stop to keep Madison in front.

The Capitols were gifted a goal just over a minute into the third period after Cloutier misplayed the puck behind the Steel net, allowing Austin Burnevik to cash in with his 20^th goal of the season to extend the lead to two goals.

The Steel bounced back after the goal and under a minute later, offered a gritty response.

On a broken play in the offensive zone, the puck rolled toward the goal crease where Sisson was stationed. With Capitols closing in, Sisson dished the puck to an open Mick Thompson on the back door to cut the deficit to one.

Still down a goal, Chicago pulled Cloutier with just over two minutes to play, but the Capitols quickly gained possession, and James Hong scored from center ice on the yawning cage.

Down two goals, the net remained empty for Chicago, and Sisson gave the hopeful crowd new life with a goal with 57 seconds to play that made it a one-goal game again.

Chicago came close to finding the tying goal with its net still empty, but the Capitols clung to their lead and escaped with a 5-4 win.

The Steel will stay on home ice and host a pair of games against the Sioux Falls Stampede on Friday, Jan. 5 and Saturday, Jan. 6.

Jan. 6 is Boy Band Night and features Full Team Post Game Autographs.

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, 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
Tuesday, January 9 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

#12 Jordan Brisson: F; 6' 1"; Colorado College

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

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

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

#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

#12 Jordan Brisson
: 6' 1"; Colorado College
: F

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

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

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

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

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