Men's Ice Hockey 4/7/2023 9:44:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL EARN HARD-FOUGHT POINT IN 5-4 OVERTIME LOSS TO YOUNGSTOWN FRIDAY

Moldenhauer records goal and assist; Byfuglien, Hage, Perron add goals

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— The Chicago Steel (36-15-4-1; 77 pts) earned a point in a wild back-and-forth 5-4 overtime loss against the Youngstown Phantoms (35-17-4-1; 75 pts) Friday night at Covelli Centre.

The Steel recovered from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game at two heading to the third period where the teams exchanged goals until William Whitelaw won the game for Youngstown with a breakaway goal in the extra session.
Youngstown trimmed Chicago's first place lead to two points with five games remaining in the regular season ahead of Saturday's matchup between the two teams.

Nick Moldenhauer scored a goal and registered an assist in the contest for his 20^th multi-point game of the season. In his last 20 games, Moldenhauer has 27 points (13G, 14A) and ten multi-point games.

Michael Hage and Thor Byfuglien each recorded goals in the contest, marking consecutive games with goals for each player.

Despite the final score, goaltender Jack Stark had an outstanding performance stopping 36 shots in his first career loss to the Phantoms in seven starts.

Whitelaw scored twice and tallied an assist for Youngstown, continuing his outstanding play against the Steel. Whitelaw has registered 13 points (9G, 4A) in seven meetings against the Steel this season including a hat trick on Jan. 28.

Less than six minutes into the opening frame, the Phantoms opened the scoring on a set play off a defensive zone faceoff.

After Youngstown won the draw, Jack Wilson connected with William Whitelaw at the top of the offensive zone with a long pass. Whitelaw rushed down the right side and fired a high shot high from the right circle for the early lead.

The Phantoms outshot the Steel 10-9 throughout the opening frame. Steel goaltender Jack Stark made several sprawling saves including a split-save on a two-on-one shorthanded Phantoms chance late in the period, while Phantoms goaltender Jacob Fowler stopped Jayden Perron on a breakaway earlier in the frame.

The Phantoms doubled their lead just over three minutes into the middle frame. Brandon Svoboda carried the puck into the offensive zone and made a centering pass to Miles Gunty in the slot. Gunty's shot was saved by Stark, but Jake Rozzi was on the doorstep to bank in the rebound, extending the lead to 2-0.

Midway through the second period, the Steel cut the Phantoms lead in half. Chris Delaney collected a loose puck along the far boards and found Thor Byfuglien at the point. Byfuglien fired from the blue line and the puck bounced through Fowler's legs. It marks the second game in a row that the defenseman has scored.

With less than five minutes left in the middle frame, the Steel's league-leading power play struck to tie the game at 2-2. Nick Moldenhauer centered high between the dots and found Jack Harvey in the left circle. Harvey held the puck, patiently waiting for an opening with Michael Hage providing a screen. Harvey fired a wrister that Hage redirected past Fowler for his second goal in as many games.

Just over three minutes into the third period, the Phantoms regained the lead. Svoboda powered into the offensive zone, hounded by a Steel defender. Svoboda crashed the net and lifted the puck on a backhand shot behind Stark blocker side for a 3-2 Phantoms lead.

Shortly after a dangerous Youngstown power play that forced Stark to make several consecutive saves without his stick, the Steel evened the score. Jake Livanvage made a cross-ice pass to Macklin Celebrini at the Steel blue line who carried the puck into the offensive zone, dancing around his defenders to force a two-on-one with Jayden Perron. Celebrini connected with Perron crashing the net who snuck the puck past Fowler for his 22^nd goal of the season.

With under nine minutes remaining in regulation, Chicago struck again for its first lead of the night. Perron fired towards the net, hoping for a tip-in from Celebrini on the doorstep. Celebrini's shot was saved, but Moldenhauer pounced on the puck and sent it into the net for his 28^th goal of the season and 4-3 lead.

The lead was short-lived as Youngstown tied the game 38 seconds later. Whitelaw made a cross-ice pass through traffic to Martin Misiak who dragged the puck and released a wrister to beat Stark low, glove side.

Late in overtime, Whitelaw collected the puck on a turnover in the defensive zone and charged towards Stark on a one-on-one showdown. Whitelaw stickhandled in the slot and brought the puck to his backhand for the game-winner.

Saturday night, the Steel battle the Phantoms once again at Covelli Centre in the final meeting of the season between the two teams. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT.

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:
Saturday, April 8 at Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 p.m. CT)
Friday, April 14 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 p.m. CT)
Saturday, April 15 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 p.m. CT) | Fan Appreciation Night | Post-Game Skate with the Steel | Team photo giveaway courtesy of K&M Printing Co. (first 500 fans)

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Players Mentioned

#1 Jack Stark: G; 5' 9"; Yale University

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

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

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

#25 Thor Byfuglien: D; 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University

Players Mentioned

#1 Jack Stark
: 5' 9"; Yale University
: G

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

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

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

#25 Thor Byfuglien
: 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University
: D