Men's Ice Hockey 4/8/2023 9:48:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL SOLIDFY FIRST PLACE HOLD WITH 6-2 WIN AGAINST YOUNGSTOWN SATURDAY

Six different players score as Chicago tallies last five goals of game

GENEVA, ILLINOIS— The Chicago Steel (37-15-4-1; 79 pts) scored five unanswered goals, including four second period tallies, en route to a 6-2 win over the Youngstown Phantoms (35-18-4-1; 75 pts) Saturday night at Covelli Centre.

The Steel earned three of a possible four points in the two-game set against Youngstown and now sit four points ahead of the Phantoms in the Eastern Conference standings with four regular season games remaining. Chicago's magic number is four to clinch the top spot in the conference.

Special teams was a story of the weekend. The Steel's league leading power play went 3-for-6 in the matchup and 4-for-9 for the weekend, while the penalty kill was perfect for the second night in a row going 5-for-5 throughout the night and 9-for-9 in the series.

The Steel were outplayed for the first half minutes of the game before the script completely flipped and Chicago broke a 2-2 tie late in the second period with a pair of goals scored in four-on-four action and never looked back.
Six different players scored for Chicago: Macklin Celebrini, Michael Hage with his third consecutive goal, Jack Harvey, Quinn Finley, Jake Livanavage, and Nick Moldenhauer with a goal and an assist.

Steel goaltender Christian Manz was stellar in net, stopping 30 of 32 shots faced. Manz has won seven of his last ten starts.

The Steel registered the first four shots of the game during their first shift of the contest, but the Phantoms controlled the play for the rest of the opening period. Youngstown's strong puck possession and physical play was effective, registering the next 18 shots on goal.

Five minutes in, a Chicago turnover at the defensive blue line resulted in a Phantoms two-on-one rush towards Steel goaltender Christian Manz. Andon Cerbone made a short, cross-ice pass from the left circle to Chase Pietila in the slot. Pietila shot a one-timer to beat Manz glove side for an early 1-0 Youngstown lead.

The second period included almost everything a USHL fan could want in a battle of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference standings.

Less than six minutes into the middle frame, the Steel almost tied the game when Michael Emerson batted the puck out of the air into the back of the net while on the power play, but the goal was overturned.

The Steel were able to break the ice several minutes later. Halfway through the period, the Steel power play tied the game. Emerson received a pass at the top of the defensive zone and made a cross-ice pass to Macklin Celebrini at the red line. Celebrini powered through the zone to the left circle and fired a wrister past Phantoms goaltender Colin Winn's right shoulder for his league-leading 46^th goal of the season and 21^st power play goal.

Less than a minute later, Youngstown regained its lead. Matt Perkins connected with Andon Cerbone in the slot with a backhand pass, who stickhandled in front of Manz before shooting a wrister for a 2-1 lead.

With less than six minutes left in the period, the Steel's power play struck again to tie the game at 2-2. Michael Hage fired from the top of the right circle, causing a massive pileup in front of Winn. Several Steel attempts to shove the puck in were stopped by Winn but Hage collected a loose puck in the slot, skated in a small arc, and fired from the bottom of the right circle for his third goal in as many games.

Chaos ensued moments later as Celebrini received a minor penalty and subsequent ten minute misconduct for checking from behind. In an ensuing scrum, Youngstown's Matthew Perkins cross-checked a Steel player, leading to Steel defenseman Reid Conn stepping in to drop the gloves with Perkins.

The altercation brought the Steel bench to life, and Chicago would score twice on the ensuing four-on-four action.
Less than 40 seconds into the four-on-four, the Steel earned their first lead of the night. Michael Hagens disrupted a play in the defensive zone to get the puck to Nick Moldenhauer who made a long pass to Anthony Dowd. Dowd entered the offensive zone to in a two-on-one with Jack Harvey. From the left circle, Dowd made a backhanded drop pass to Harvey in the slot who fired a one-timer past Winn for a 3-2 Chicago lead.

Just 45 seconds later, the Steel took a 4-2 advantage, once again ignited by the play of Anthony Dowd.

Dowd carried the puck from the top of the defensive zone to the red line and connected with Quinn Finley at the top of the offensive zone. Finley rushed to the right side of the net, bringing the puck on his backhand while crossing to the left side, and shooting from his forehand to sneak the puck above Winn's right skate. In six appearances facing the Phantoms, Finley has registered 5 points (2G, 3A).

Dowd registered three assists in the contest for his seventh multi-point game of the season. In his last four games played, Dowd has 6 points (1G, 5A).

Six minutes into the third period, the Steel's power play continued its torrid pace to increase the lead to 5-2. Nick Moldenhauer carried the puck into the offensive zone and fired from the slot. Winn paddled the puck aside with his blocker, but Jake Livanavage grabbed the rebound and sent the puck into the back of the net for sixth goal of the season.

With just over six minutes left, the Steel scored their fifth consecutive goal. Chris Able connected with Moldenhauer storming the offensive zone. While being dragged down, Moldenhauer was able to slip the puck past Winn for a 6-2 lead.

Next weekend, the Steel take on Dubuque in home-and-home series.

Chicago travels to Dubuque on Friday, April 14 before returning home to battle the Fighting Sants at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Saturday, April 15 for the final regular season home game.

Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night featuring a 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 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)
Friday, April 21 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 p.m. CT)

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Players Mentioned

#7 Jake Livanavage: D; 5' 11"; University of North Dakota

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

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

#17 Macklin Celebrini: F; 6' 0"; Boston University

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

#22 Anthony Dowd: D; 5' 7"; Uncommitted

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

Players Mentioned

#7 Jake Livanavage
: 5' 11"; University of North Dakota
: D

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

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

#17 Macklin Celebrini
: 6' 0"; Boston University
: F

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

#22 Anthony Dowd
: 5' 7"; Uncommitted
: D

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