Men's Ice Hockey 4/5/2023 12:14:00 PM Chicago Steel

FIRST PLACE ON THE LINE AS STEEL VISIT YOUNGSTOWN

In battle for Eastern Conference supremacy, top two foes faceoff this weekend

GENEVA, ILLINOIS—Coming off two of the most impressive wins of the season to date, the Chicago Steel (36-15-3-1; 76 pts) head to Ohio this weekend to faceoff against the Youngstown Phantoms (34-17-4-1; 73 pts) Friday and Saturday in a battle for first place in the Eastern Conference. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT both nights at Covelli Centre.

With six games remaining in the regular season, the Steel are just three points ahead Youngstown (73 points) with USA Hockey NTDP in a close third with 72 points. The top six teams in each conference qualify for the Clark Cup Playoffs with the top two seeds earning a First Round bye.

The Steel are coming off a weekend sweep of USA Hockey NTDP (U18) this past weekend at Fox Valley Ice Arena. It was the only time this season the U18 team lost back-to-back USHL games, and marked just the sixth USHL loss for the U18s with three of those defeats coming at the hands of the Steel.

Saturday, Chicago came back from a two-goal deficit for the ninth time this season in a 6-5 overtime thriller. Trailing 4-2 heading to the third period, the Steel scored three straight goals including Jack Harvey's go-ahead tally with 1:15 left in regulation. USA's Will Smith answered with a goal just 16 seconds later to force overtime. Nick Moldenhauer scored the game winner for Chicago in overtime.

Sunday, the Steel controlled most of the play in a 7-3 victory. Michael Hage scored his first USHL goal and recorded an assist in his seventh game played. Macklin Celebrini registered two goals and two assists. Celebrini, the league leader in goals and points, now has 45 goals and is approaching the franchise record for most goals in a season held by Matt Coronato (2019-2021) with 48. Goaltender Christian Manz stopped 37 of 40 shots faced for his 18th win of the season.

This weekend marks the final two scheduled regular season meetings between Youngstown and Chicago, a series currently split with three wins for each side. Youngstown swept the two most recent meetings with a pair of one-sided wins at Covelli Centre on Jan. 27 & 28. The Steel hold an all-time record of 48-42-3-3 against the Phantoms, and a road record of 25-17-2-2.

This weekend's matchup features the top four leading goal scorers in the USHL: Celebrini (45), teammate Jack Harvey in second (35) and Youngstown forwards William Whitelaw and Shane Lachance who are tied for third, each with 32 goals.

While the Steel possess four of the top five scorers in the USHL, Youngstown's Jacob Fowler leads all USHL goaltenders. In 37 games played, Fowler leads qualifying USHL goalies in wins (24), goals against average (2.31) and save percentage (.921). While the Steel have the second highest goals per game average, Youngstown allows the second fewest goals per contest.

Although the Steel's power play has topped the league for the majority of the regular season including a 4-for-7 combined performance over two games against USA this past weekend, Chicago was kept off the scoresheet in the last two meetings with Youngstown going 0-for-8.

Next weekend, the Steel travel to Dubuque on Friday, April 14 before returning home to battle Dubuque once again at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Saturday, April 15 for Fan Appreciation Night featuring at team photo giveaway courtesy of K&M printing and hundreds of prizes for fans attending the game. Following Saturday's game, fans are invited to participate in the final Skate with the Steel of the season.

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 regular season and 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 7 at Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 p.m. CT)
Saturday, April 8 at Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 p.m. CT)
Friday, April 14 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 p.m. CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

#13 Jack Harvey

Players Mentioned

#13 Jack Harvey