Men's Ice Hockey 4/29/2023 10:37:00 PM

PERRON HAT TRICK LIFTS STEEL TO GAME 1 VICTORY

GENEVA, ILLINOIS — Jayden Perron recorded a hat trick and goaltender Christian Manz stopped 30 of 31 shots as the Chicago Steel captured Game 1 of the best-of-three Eastern Conference Semifinal series 3-1 Saturday at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Perron's second goal, a power play tally early in the second period, proved to be the game-winner in a contest in which Chicago never trailed.

The Steel opened the scoring less than seven minutes into the opening frame. Dubuque's Max Burkholder tripped while handling the puck, allowing Nick Moldenhauer to scoop up the loose puck and connect with Quinn Finley on the doorstep. Finley tried to tuck the puck, but lost control. Jayden Perron collected the loose puck and fired, going bar-down for a 1-0 lead and his first of the postseason.

Late in the period, Dubuque received the first power play of the game. The Fighting Saints power play, which operated at a nearly 40% success rate against Chicago during the regular season, tied the game.

Burkholder received a pass in the left circle and fired, but his shot was disrupted by a Steel defender. The puck found its way to the blade of Owen Michaels who quickly lifted the puck on his backhand over the right shoulder of Steel goaltender Christian Manz for his third of the postseason to tie the game 1-1 with just 4.1 seconds remaining in the period.

Despite the late goal, Manz was stellar, stopping 12 of 13 shots faced.

Early in the second period the Steel power play, which led the USHL for most of the regular season, regained the lead for Chicago.

A pair of minor penalties set up the Steel with a 5-on-3 advantage. The Steel worked the puck around to Quinn Finley, who skated along the top of the offensive zone and connected with Perron who blasted a one-timer that hit both corners of the crossbar before dropping behind Dubuque goaltender Marcus Brannman for his second goal of the game.

Chicago's penalty kill rose to the occasion, killing off a pair of Steel penalties late in the period to maintain the lead heading to the third period.

In the third, each team had opportunities on the power play with the Fighting Saints killing off two Steel opportunities that each featured extended zone time for Chicago. Dubuque was unable to take advantage of a power play with under eight minutes remaining.

The Fighting Saints pulled Brannman for an extra attacker with 2:24 remaining. After nearly a minute of 6-on-5 action, the puck found Perron's stick and he slithered through the neutral zone and down the right side before depositing an empty net goal for his first playoff hat trick after recording four in the 2022-2023 regular season.

Quinn Finley assisted on each of the first two Perron goals, and Nick Moldenhauer and Mick Thompson each added an assist.

Chicago can win the series on Sunday while Dubuque will look to even the best-of-three matchup in Game 2 at 5:05 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

All fans in attendance will receive a Chicago Steel Rally Towel courtesy of River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

Playoff tickets are on sale now starting at just $10.

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.
Series Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Eastern Conference Semifinals
#1 Steel vs. #5 Dubuque (Steel lead series 1-0)
Game 1: Steel 3, Dubuque 1 - Saturday, April 29
Game 2: Dubuque at Steel - Sunday, April 30 (5:05 p.m.)
Game 3 (if necessary): Dubuque at Steel - Monday, May 1 (5:05 p.m.)

All games include a rally towel giveaway courtesy of River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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