Men's Ice Hockey 2/18/2023 10:57:00 PM Chicago Steel

CELEBRINI BECOMES FIRST STEEL PLAYER TO SCORE FIVE GOALS IN A GAME IN 8-5 WIN OVER USA

Finley registers goal and three assists; Perron notches four assists

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— Steel rookie forward and top 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Macklin Celebrini became the first Steel player to score five goals in a game as the Chicago Steel (28-12-2-1; 59 pts) won their sixth straight game, defeating USA Hockey NTDP (U17) (22-12-1-2; 47 pts) 8-5 Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Celebrini extended his league-lead in goals (35) and points (61) and continued a torrid scoring pace having registered 11 goals in the last four games including the five-goal outburst Saturday and a hat trick on Feb. 11. He has scored at least one goal in 11 of the last 14 games.

Chicago's league-leading power play went 4-for-7 on the night, igniting a second-period surge of three power play goals to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 lead.

Quinn Finley scored once and notched three assists. Finley now has 13 points (5G, 8A) in his last six games.
Jayden Perron recorded four assists for his third career four-point night. Michael Hagens notched three assists for his first career three-point night.

The game began with each team earning offensive chances. Halfway through the period, USA opened the scoring. James Hagens received the puck along the far boards in the defensive zone and found Cole Eiserman breaking out of the zone. Eiserman powered through the neutral zone, slipping past his defenders to create a breakaway before shooting a wrister past Christian Manz for a 1-0 USA lead.

Two minutes later, the Steel's power play struck back. For the sixth night in a row, Jayden Perron and Macklin Celebrini connected for a goal. Perron carried the puck end-to-end, passing to himself through his defender's legs. He then found Celebrini crashing the net for a tip-in goal.

With just over four minutes left in the period, USA regained the lead on the power play. Hagens and Eiserman once again teamed up. Hagens' cross-ice pass to Eiserman in the slot bounced off a Steel defender and onto Eiserman's tape. Eiserman fired a wrister to beat Manz glove-side.

Despite trailing 2-1, Chicago outshot USA 14-6 in the first period.

Early in the second period, the Steel tied the game at 2-2. Jordan Brisson carried the puck into the offensive zone and made a short pass to Brady Arneson in the left circle. Arneson's shot was blocked by the stick of a USA defender, sending the puck behind the net. The puck ricocheted off the boards onto the blade of Anthony Dowd on the doorstep, who blasted a one-timer to beat Parsons glove-side.

Halfway through the middle frame, USA went back in front on its first shot of the period. Shane Vansaghi won a board battle and connected with Logan Hensler. Hensler stickhandled into the zone and shot a wrister for a 3-2 USA lead.

Less than two minutes later, USA doubled its lead. Brodie Ziemer made a pass off the boards to Kamil Bednarik at the left point. Bednarik wound up for a slapshot that was deflected past Manz.

But USA's lead was derailed by penalties late in the period leading to three straight Steel power play goals to take the lead.

It began with a five-on-three opportunity for Chicago. Perron chased off his defenders along the near boards before connecting with Michael Hagens in the left circle. Hagens made a cross-ice pass to Celebrini, who unleashed a powerful one-timer that soared past Parsons for his second goal of the night.

Less than 30 seconds later, Celebrini completed the hat trick to tie the game 4-4. Quinn Finley connected with a streaking Celebrini in the defensive zone. Celebrini powered through the neutral zone, straight to the net. His initial shot was saved by Parsons, sending the puck flying into the air but Celebrini batted the puck out of the air and into the back of the net.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in the period, the Steel gained their first lead of the night. Jayden Perron made a no-look cross-ice pass to Finley in left circle who stickhandled and fired a wrister for a top shelf goal and 5-4 lead.

Celebrini notched his fourth goal of the night just over six minutes into the third period. Jake Livanavage poked the puck to Finley along the boards who quickly found Celebrini in the slot. Celebrini released a one-timer for a 6-4 Steel lead.

Five minutes later, Celebrini struck once again. Perron started the play by making a pass to Quinn Finley off the boards in the defensive zone. Finley carried the puck into the offensive zone and connected with Celebrini at the top of the right circle, who fired a one-timer for his Steel record fifth goal of the game.

Thirty seconds later, USA cut the lead to 7-5 when James Hagens connected with Kristian Epperson in the left circle, who shot a one-timer past Manz.

With under four minutes left in the period, USA pulled Parsons but Nick Moldenhauer won a battle along the boards and skated into the offensive zone for an empty net goal to cap the team's sixth consecutive win.

Sunday afternoon, the Steel battle USA Hockey NTDP (U17) for the final time this season for the first of two Steel Card Set Giveaways, presented by Top Shelf Sports Cards. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a pack of Steel trading cards. Fans are invited to get their cards signed during a Full-Team Autograph session following the game.

Sunday marks the return of the Slumberland Family Pack, a deal which includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas/waters, four chips and four chuck-a-pucks for just $50. The package may be purchased in quantities of four to eight and may be purchased online by clicking here and purchasing from the column on the right side of the ticketing page. 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:
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
Friday, February 24 vs. Green Bay (7:05 p.m. CT) Chicago Traffic Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy with Special Jersey Auction to benefit JDRF
Saturday, February 25 at Green Bay (7:05 p.m. CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#18 Jayden Perron: F; 5' 9"; University of North Dakota

Players Mentioned

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

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

#18 Jayden Perron
: 5' 9"; University of North Dakota
: F

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens

#17 Macklin Celebrini

#18 Jayden Perron

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens

#17 Macklin Celebrini

#18 Jayden Perron