Men's Ice Hockey 2/19/2023 6:26:00 PM Chicago Steel

USA SNAPS SIX-GAME STEEL WINNING STREAK SUNDAY

Emerson registers two goals and an assist; Plante scores twice

GENEVA, ILLINOIS—Cole Eiserman scored three times to lead USA Hockey NTDP (U17) (23-12-1-2; 49 pts) to an 8-5 win over the Chicago Steel (28-13-2-1; 59 pts) Sunday afternoon at Fox Valley Ice Arena, ending a six-game Steel winning streak.

USA scored the only four goals of the third period to earn a split of the weekend's two games versus the Steel.
Despite having its win streak snapped, Chicago registered four points over the three-game weekend.

Michael Emerson scored twice for the Steel and registered an assist in the contest. It was Emerson's fourth two-goal game and sixth three-point game of the season. Zam Plante recorded two goals in the contest for his second career two-goal game.

Jayden Perron and Mick Thompson each notched two assists in the matchup. Perron now has six consecutive multi-point games.

The game started with USA carrying most of the play in its offensive zone, but the Steel grabbed the first two goals of the afternoon.

It began with Zam Plante, who had scored in three of the last five games coming into the game, intercepted the puck in the defensive zone and made a pass off the boards to Mick Thompson rushing into the neutral zone. Thompson, from the red line, passed back to Plante at the top of the offensive zone. Plante's initial shot from the right circle was blocked by a USA defender, but came right back to Plante who shot an odd-angle wrister for a 1-0 Chicago lead.

Two minutes later, the Steel's surging power play which came into the game with seven power play goals in the two previous games this weekend, built upon its recent success. Jayden Perron began a play at the blue line, faking out his defender and passing to Macklin Celebrini in the right circle. Celebrini immediately found Michael Emerson on the doorstep for a tip-in goal.

Less than a minute later, USA cut the lead in half. Kamil Bednarik collected the puck along the far boards before connecting with Logan Hensler at the point. Hensler stickhandled at the blue line before shooting from the point through traffic past Steel goaltender Jack Stark for the goal.

Three minutes later, USA tied the game at 2-2 on the power play. Logan Hensler collected the puck behind his net before taking a few strides and making a diagonal pass to Charlie Pardue. Pardue carried the puck coast-to-coast and snuck a backhand shot past Stark for the equalizer.

With less than three minutes left in the period, USA's power play struck again for a 3-2 lead. Kristian Epperson made a cross-ice pass from the left circle to Cole Eiserman on the goal line who shot a wrister for the lead.
Halfway through the middle frame, USA doubled its lead to 4-2. Logan Hensler took a shot from the point that was stopped by Stark. James Hagens fought off his brother, Michael, to collect the rebound for a goal.

Just like Saturday's game, a 4-2 USA lead in the second period quickly turned into a 5-4 Steel advantage, this time with three straight Chicago goals in the span of six minutes.

The surge began with Plante's second goal of the game. Mick Thompson collected the puck along the far boards behind the goal line in the Steel defensive zone. Thompson made a long cross-ice pass off the boards to Chris Delaney bursting into the neutral zone. Delaney connected with Plante between the dots, who stickhandled and lifted the puck past USA goaltender Nick Kempf to cut the lead to 4-3.

Less than three minutes later, the Steel tied the game. Michael Emerson lifted the puck to drive into the offensive zone, collecting the puck from between his defender's legs. From the left circle, Emerson made a short pass to Jack Harvey who scooped the puck past Kempf's glove side.

With just over five minutes left in the period, the Steel were awarded a five-on-three power play. After a faceoff win, Jayden Perron collected the puck and skated along the left circle before finding Emerson on the doorstep for a tip-in goal and a 5-4 Steel lead.

The lead was short-lived, as USA would score four unanswered goals in the third period.

Less than three minutes into the final frame, USA tied the game. Off a faceoff, Max Plante collected a loose puck and carried it to the net, sliding it behind Stark's right skate.

One minute later, USA took the lead on the power play. Brodie Ziemer, from behind the goal line, played catch with Cole Eiserman in the right circle before Eiserman fired a wrister that beat Stark to put USA in front 6-5.

With over five minutes left in the period, USA struck again. Max Plante made a backwards pass to Eiserman in the defensive zone. Eiserman carried the puck end-to-end and beat Stark glove side and register his first career USHL hat trick in the process.

With less than three minutes left in the game, the Steel pulled Stark for an extra attacker. After a few good looks for the Steel, Max Plante found Charlie Pardue in the neutral zone, who topped off the USA victory with an empty net goal.

Next weekend, the Steel are back home to battle the Green Bay Gamblers on Friday, Feb. 24 for Chicago Traffic Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy. The Steel will wear special jerseys to be auctioned off online to benefit JDRF. The following night, Chicago travels to Green Bay. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT both nights.

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 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)
Tuesday, February 28 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 p.m. CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#26 Michael Emerson: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

#27 Zam Plante: F; 5' 10"; University of Minnesota-Duluth

Players Mentioned

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

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

#26 Michael Emerson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F

#27 Zam Plante
: 5' 10"; University of Minnesota-Duluth
: F