Men's Ice Hockey 4/15/2023 11:40:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL CLINCH FIRST ROUND BYE WITH 6-3 WIN SATURDAY

Perron scores twice; Slipec, Delaney, Hage, and Harvey add markers

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— The Chicago Steel (38-17-4-1; 81 pts) clinched a First Round bye in the upcoming Clark Cup Playoffs, topping the Dubuque Fighting Saints (31-23-5-1; 68 pts) 6-3 Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

The win ensures that the Steel will begin the Clark Cup Playoffs hosting a the best-of-three Conference Semifinal series that will take place between April 28 and May 1.

With two games remaining in the regular season, Chicago sits atop the Eastern Conference by four points over USA Hockey NTDP and Youngstown.

The Steel, who are 24-4-0-1 when scoring first, scored the first three goals of the game and never looked back. Dubuque cut the deficit to on three occasions, but the Steel had a response each time.

Jayden Perron scored twice, his fifth game scoring two or more goals this season. In his last ten games, Perron has 12 points (4G, 8A).

Grayden Slipec, Chris Delaney, Michael Hage, and Jack Harvey added goals. Owen Michaels scored a hat trick for Dubuque.

The game started with congestion in the neutral zone and the puck flying in all directions except towards the nets. Neither team got high quality chances until halfway through the opening frame.

Halfway through the period, the Steel opened the scoring. Jordan Brisson received a pass breaking into the offensive zone with Grayden Slipec streaking for a two-on-one. Brisson tossed the puck past his diving defender to the net for Slipec on the doorstep who tipped the puck over Dubuque goaltender Paxton Geisel's left shoulder for his second goal of the season and 1-0 Steel lead. It was Slipec's first goal since Dec. 9.

With just over three minutes left in the period, the Steel doubled their lead. Cameron Johnson fought for the puck along the near boards, successfully skating away with the puck forcing a three-on-one. Johnson made a short pass to Charlie Major breaking into the zone with Chris Delaney streaking down the left side. Major pulled the puck around his diving defender and connected with Delaney on the doorstep who tipped the puck in to make it 2-0 Chicago. Delaney has nine points in his last six games.

The Steel picked up where they left off to start the middle frame, scoring less than two minutes into the period. Chris Able knocked the puck off the stick of a Dubuque skater, chipping it to Jayden Perron at the edge of the left circle. Perron lifted the puck high, glove side for a 3-0 Steel lead.

More than midway through the period, Dubuque got on the scoresheet. Fisher Scott connected with Max Burkholder to the left of Steel goaltender Christian Manz with a short pass. Burkholder chipped the puck to Owen Michaels in the crease who tipped it past Manz' blocker.

Despite three Steel power play opportunities, Dubuque controlled the majority of second period play. Dubuque outshot the Steel 12-3 in the middle frame.

Halfway through the third period, the Steel increased their lead 4-1. Nick Moldenhauer fought off his defender while crashing the net and made a no-look, backwards pass to Anthony Dowd in the crease. Dowd's shot bounced off a Dubuque defender to Michael Hage in the left circle. Hage lifted the puck on his backhand for his fourth goal in five games.

Over a minute later, Dubuque struck back. Max Burkholder received a pass in the left circle and quickly made a short, backhand pass to Michaels in the slot who released a wrister to cut the Steel lead in half, 4-2.

With exactly four minutes remaining, Jayden Perron regained the three-goal advantage. Perron collected a loose puck along the far boards and, in an impressive display of athleticism, danced around four defenders and lifted the puck over Geisel's shoulder with a backhand shot.

With less than three minutes left in the period, Dubuque pulled Geisel, scoring to cut the Steel lead to 5-3. Oliver Moberg chipped the puck to Owen Michaels on the doorstep from behind the net. Michaels corralled the puck before squeezing it past Manz to complete the hat trick.

With the Dubuque net still empty, Jack Harvey scored an empty net goal, his third straight game with a tally, to cap the scoring.

The league-leading Steel power play went 2-for-6 in the contest. Christian Manz stopped 28 shots to earn his third straight victory in net and ninth in his last 11 starts.

Next weekend, the Steel travel to Muskegon for the final two regular season games Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT both nights.

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 for the 2023-2024 season are now on sale starting at just 5 games for just $50. As part of the team's "Ticket Plan Madness" campaign, for a limited time, fans that secure a new season ticket plan for next season will receive complimentary tickets for playoff games this season. Fans can call 855-51-STEEL or email info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

The Steel are offering fans the opportunity to secure the best seats and lock in the lowest ticket price for?all potential Clark Cup Playoff home games through the team's Pay As We Play program available now through April 21.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, April 21 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 p.m. CT)
Saturday, April 22 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 p.m. CT)
2023 Clark Cup Playoffs – Schedule TBA

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Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec: F; 5' 10"; University of North Dakota

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

#13 Jack Harvey: F; 5' 10"; Boston University

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#8 Grayden Slipec
: 5' 10"; University of North Dakota
: F

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

#13 Jack Harvey
: 5' 10"; Boston University
: F

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

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

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