Men's Ice Hockey 4/21/2023 9:49:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL SECURE TOP SPOT IN EAST; FINISH FIRST FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT SEASON WITH 7-2 WIN FRIDAY

Slipec scores twice and records assist; Moldenhauer and Hage register goal and assist

GENEVA, ILLINOIS — The Chicago Steel (39-17-4-1; 83 pts) assured themselves a first place finish In the Eastern Conference for the fourth consecutive season with a 7-2 win over the Muskegon Lumberjacks (26-32-3-0; 55 pts) Friday night at Trinity Health Arena.

Chicago will enter the playoffs as the #1 seed in the East and will be assured home ice advantage through the Eastern Conference Final.

The Steel scored the first three and last four goals Friday to earn a series-opening victory against Muskegon.

Grayden Slipec scored twice and registered an assist for his first career three-point game. Nick Moldenhauer and Michael Hage each registered a goal and an assist. It was Moldenhauer's 23^rd multi-point game of the season, and Hage's second consecutive and third career multi-point game.

Steel goaltender Christian Manz stopped 28 of 30 shots for his fourth consecutive win.

The Steel came out with fire, scoring less than two minutes into the opening frame.

Chris Delaney carried the puck from the top of the offensive zone to the bottom of the left circle and found Charlie Major in the slot who tipped the puck past Muskegon goaltender Raythan Robbins' left skate. It was Major's first goal since Jan. 20.

As time wound down in the period, the Steel doubled their lead. Jayden Perron gloved down a Muskegon defender's attempt to chip the puck towards the Steel net and found a streaking Nick Moldenhauer alone at the top of the offensive zone. Moldenhauer skated towards Robbins, toe-dragged, and released a wrister for his 30^th goal of the season.

The Steel stayed hot to start the second period, scoring less than three minutes into the frame. After a Muskegon turnover behind its own net, Grayden Slipec pounced on the loose puck and skated it to the other end of the crease, pushing a backhand past the glove of a diving Robbins for his second goal in as many games and a 3-0 Steel lead.

Muskegon got back into the game with a pair of goals in the span of just over 90 seconds.

A turnover in the offensive zone resulted in a Muskegon three-on-one heading towards Steel goaltender Christian Manz. Cody Croal carried the puck to the right circle and made a cross-ice pass to Nicholas Rexine who scooped the puck past Manz' blocker side for the first Lumberjacks goal.

Less than two minutes later, Muskegon struck again. Jacob Terpstra won a battle along the blue line and took a few steps into the offensive zone and connected with Easton Young. Young carried the puck to the right circle and released a wrister past Manz to cut the Chicago lead to 3-2.

The Steel responded with a pair of goal of their own.

Michael Emerson carried the puck end-to-end, traveling behind and around the net, and found Jack Harvey on the doorstep for a tip-in goal to make it 4-2 Chicago. It was Harvey's fourth goal in as many games.

Later in the period, while on the power play, Nick Moldenhauer found Jake Livanavage on the goal line who quickly passed to Michael Hage on the doorstep for a one-timer goal. Hage has been on a tear, tallying his fifth goal in six games.

Midway through the third period, Jordan Brisson scored a powerful goal, stickhandling to the left of Robbins and releasing a point-blank wrister top-shelf for a 6-2 lead to continue his three-game point streak (1G, 2A).

Three minutes later, the Steel's league leading power play struck again. Chris Able found Michael Hage in the left circle who whipped the puck towards the net for a tip-in goal by Slipec, his second of the night.

Chicago's league leading power play was perfect in the matchup, going 2-for-2.

The two teams will meet again Saturday in the final regular season game for both teams.

The Steel will begin the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, hosting a best-of-three series against the winner of the First Round matchup between the #4 and #5 seeds that will begin either Friday, April 28 or Saturday, April 29 at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva.

Single-game playoff tickets for all potential Eastern Conference Semifinals dates are on sale now. Pricing for the Conference Semifinals remains the same as regular season pricing with tickets starting at just $10 and discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

Group tickets and experiences are on sale now for playoff home games, including the team's Youth Hockey Experience, Scouts Experience, national anthem groups, charity of the game/fundraising, birthdays, and party areas such as the Coors Light Chill Zone and Steel Suites are booking fast for the playoffs.

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.

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.

Tickets may be purchased at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyteam.com. Fans with questions should email info@ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Saturday, April 22 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 p.m. CT)
2023 Clark Cup Playoffs: Begins Friday, April 28 or Saturday, April 29 – vs. First Round winner of #4 vs. #5 series

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Players Mentioned

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

#9 Nick Moldenhauer: F; 5' 11"; Freshman; University of Michigan

#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

#9 Nick Moldenhauer
: 5' 11"; Freshman; University of Michigan
: F

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

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