Men's Ice Hockey 2/11/2023 9:17:00 PM Chicago Steel

CELEBRINI NOTCHES HAT TRICK, FIVE-POINT GAME, IN 7-4 WIN SATURDAY

Hagens records two goals; Plante and Finley add markers as Steel win fourth straight

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— Rookie forward Macklin Celebrini recorded a hat trick and registered two assists as the Chicago Steel (26-12-2-1; 55 pts) topped the Des Moines Buccaneers (13-18-4-3; 34 pts) 7-4 Saturday night at Buccaneer Arena to extend their win streak to four games.

With both his second career hat trick and five point game, Celebrini now leads the USHL in points (54) and goals (28).

Rookie defenseman Michael Hagens recorded two goals in the contest helping complete a two-game weekend in which the Steel never trailed.

For the second night in a row, rookie Macklin Celebrini opened the scoring on the first shift of the game, marking the fourth game in a row the Steel have scored within the first two minutes of play.

The play began when Quinn Finley held the puck in the Steel offensive zone before dropping the puck to Jayden Perron. Perron quickly found Celebrini at the right faceoff dot who blasted a one-timer for his 50^th point and the early 1-0 lead just 14 seconds into the contest.

At the halfway point of the period, the Buccaneers tied the game 1-1 on the power play. Jak Vaarwerk passed from the top of the left circle to Henry Bartle below the goal line to the left of Steel goaltender Christian Manz. Bartle made a quick pass back to Vaarwerk who shot a one-timer for the equalizer.

Late in the period, the Steel regained the lead. Jake Livanavage collected a pass off the boards at the top of the right circle before making a short pass to Celebrini. Celebrini stickhandled at the blue line and passed to Michael Hagens on the opposite end of the point. Hagens toe-dragged before firing a wrister to beat Des Moines goaltender Max Lundgren blocker side.

Despite a brief five-on-three advantage, the Steel's power play was kept off the scoresheet in the first period.
Steel goaltender Christian Manz stood strong in net, stopping 14 of 15 shots faced in the first period.
Less than five minutes into the second period, the Steel increased their lead 3-1, once again relying on the dynamic duo of Perron and Celebrini.

Perron worked to shake off his defenders in the left corner before skating up the boards and whipping a cross-ice pass to Celebrini at the right hash marks. Celebrini fired a one-timer for his second goal of the night.

The assist by Perron gave him three straight multi-point games during a current five-game point streak.

The Steel tallied their third consecutive goal several minutes later. Celebrini, starting at the point, deked around two Buccaneers defenders, carrying the puck from the blue line to the left circle. Celebrini made a cross-ice pass to Finley in the right circle for a one-time goal. Finley is now on a four-game point streak with seven points (4G, 3A).

The Buccaneers would claw back in the second half of the period, scoring twice to cut the Steel lead to a single goal.

Shortly after Finley's goal, Gustav Stjernberg rushed into the Steel zone, carrying the puck to the net before making a backhand pass to Jack Reimann on the doorstep who tipped the puck into the net for the goal.

With less than two minutes remaining in the period, the Buccaneers power play struck for the second time, cutting the Steel lead to 4-3. Joey Muldowney collected a loose puck in the right circle and waited for an opening before releasing a wrister for a power play goal.

Trailing a one-goal lead while skating four-on-four in the third period, Des Moines had a breakaway opportunity but Manz stood strong and maintained the Steel lead with a glove save.

Shortly after the breakaway chance, Hagens scored his second of the night to increase the lead to 5-3. Finley carried the puck into the offensive zone before making a drop pass to Chris Delaney at the blue line. Delaney carried the puck to the net before connecting with a streaking Hagens in the slot. Hagens stickhandled and snuck home a backhand shot for the goal.

Hagens now has 14 points (7G, 7A) in his rookie season.

With less than three minutes left in the final frame, Des Moines pulled Lundgren and Muldowney found Henry Bartle on the doorstep who released a one-timer to cut the Steel lead 5-4.

With 1:30 left, Des Moines pulled Lundgren once again. Celebrini flicked the puck from near his own blue line into the empty net to complete the hat trick and record his fifth point of the night.

Less than 15 seconds later, Zam Plante fired the puck from behind Manz for another empty net goal to seal the 7-4 win.

Manz stopped 37 of 41 shots faced to record his second win in a row.

Next weekend, the Steel return home for a three-game holiday weekend Feb. 17 through Feb. 19.

On Friday, Feb. 17, the Steel will host a Slumberland Slumber Party as they battle the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 7:05 p.m. CT.

Saturday, Feb. 18 is Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring appearances from Stanley Cup Champion Brian Campbell and Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk. The Steel host USA Hockey NTDP (U17) at 7:05 p.m CT.

Chicago Steel hockey is presented by River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

The Steel cap off the holiday weekend on Sunday, Feb. 19 with a 3:05 p.m CT. puck drop against USA for a Steel Card Set Giveaway (part 1 of 2) presented by Top Shelf Sports Cards. Feb. 19 also marks a Slumberland Family Pack Game with a special deal for families, and after the game, fans can participate in Full Team Post-Game Autographs.

Tickets for all Steel home games start at just $10 and are available by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours.

All Chicago Steel tickets are digital and available on mobile devices. Fans should create their profile online by clicking here. For more information on digital tickets for the Chicago Steel, click here. Fans attending Steel home games this season are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the arena to avoid any delays on game night.

Season ticket plans starting at 5 games for just $50 and group tickets and experiences are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL or emailing info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, February 17 vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 p.m. CT) Slumberland Slumber Party
Saturday, February 18 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (U17) (7:05 p.m. CT) Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring Stanley Cup Champion Brian Campbell and Tommy Hawk

Chicago Steel hockey is presented by River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Sunday, February 19 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (U17) (3:05 p.m. CT) Steel Card Set Giveaway (Part 1 of 2) presented by Top Shelf Sports Cards | Slumberland Family Pack Game | Full Team Post-Game Autographs

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Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens: D; 5' 11"; Harvard University

#17 Macklin Celebrini: F; 6' 0"; Boston University

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

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens
: 5' 11"; Harvard University
: D

#17 Macklin Celebrini
: 6' 0"; Boston University
: F

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

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens

#17 Macklin Celebrini

#35 Christian Manz

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens

#17 Macklin Celebrini

#35 Christian Manz