Men's Ice Hockey 5/6/2023 11:18:00 PM Chicago Steel

STEEL TOP YOUNGSTOWN 5-2 TO EVEN SERIES

Harvey, Hage and Dowd each register goal and assist; Manz stops 35 of 37 shots

GENEVA, ILLINOIS — The Chicago Steel responded following a Game 1 loss, topping the Youngstown Phantoms 5-2 in Game 2 of the best-of-five Eastern Conference Final Saturday at Fox Valley Ice Arena, evening the series at one game apiece.

The Steel jumped out to a 4-0 lead early in the second period before Youngstown cut the deficit in half heading to the third period. Jack Harvey's power play goal with seven minutes remaining sealed the victory.

Harvey, Michael Hage, and Anthony Dowd each registered a goal and an assist in the game. Christian Manz was once again stellar in net for the Steel, stopping 35 of 37shots faced.

After a tight first 14 minutes, the Steel earned their first lead of the series, scoring while on the power play.

Jayden Perron received the puck at the at the top of the left circle, faked a shot and circled, waiting for a lane to shake off his defenders. He slithered through traffic towards the net and zipped the puck to Michael Emerson on the doorstep for a tip-in goal, his second of the postseason.

The Steel struck again with less than two minutes remaining in the period to double their lead.

Cameron Johnson won a faceoff and the puck was collected by Charlie Major who quickly found Anthony Dowd at the top of the right circle. Dowd rushed the net, deking his defender, and dangled in front of Youngstown goaltender Jacob Fowler before lifting the puck on his backhand over Fowler's right shoulder. It was Dowd's first goal of the postseason.

The Steel entered the middle frame picking up where they left off, scoring less than two minutes into the period.
Thor Byfuglien received the puck at the near side of the blue line and connected with Dowd on the far side. Dowd strode forward and fired towards the net, with the puck rebounding off Fowler's right pad right onto the blade of Quinn Finley. Finley instantly fired, lifting the puck for a bardown goal and his fourth of the postseason.

Four minutes later, the Steel scored their fourth consecutive goal. Michael Hage collected a loose puck along the near boards and flung it across the ice. The puck bounced off the far boards, onto the stick of Nolan Joyce. Joyce flung the puck towards the net but Fowler made a pad save with his right leg. The rebound traveled to the top of the left circle for Hage to scoop up and fire the puck high, glove side for his first career playoff goal and a 4-0 lead.

Less than four minutes later, Youngstown turned the tide with a power play goal. From the right circle, William Whitelaw played catch with Shane Lachance at the point before Whitelaw finally shot towards the net. Steel goaltender Christian Manz made an initial save, but the rebound was quickly picked up by Martin Misiak in the slot and flung above Manz' blocker into the net.

With just over a minute left in the middle frame, a pair of minor penalties put Youngstown on a 5-on-3 power play. Whitelaw fed Andrew Strathmann at the point who fired glove side to beat Manz, cutting the Steel lead to 4-2.

The Phantoms registered 20 shots in the second period, and entered the third period with 40 seconds of power play time.

The Steel killed off the remainder of the Youngstown man advantage to begin the third period and halt the Phantoms momentum.

With just under seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Steel put the game away while on the power play.
Jack Harvey made a cross-ice pass to Nick Moldenhauer at the red line who broke into the offensive zone and made a drop pass to Michael Hage. After waiting for an opening, Hage sent a beautiful pass from the right point to the left side of the cage as Harvey crashed the net for a tip-in goal, and a 5-2 Steel lead.

Each team enjoyed power play success in Game 2 with Youngstown going 2-for-6 and Chicago 2-for-5.

The series shifts to Covelli Centre in Ohio for Games 3 and 4, Monday, May 8 and Tuesday, May 9. A potential Game 5 would take place Thursday, May 11 at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Eastern Conference Final tickets are now on sale and 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.

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.

Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Eastern Conference Final – Best-of-Five
#1 Steel vs. #2 Youngstown (Series tied 1-1)
Game 1: YNG 4, Steel 1 - Friday, May 5 at Fox Valley Ice Arena
Game 2: Steel 5, YNG 2 - Saturday, May 6 at Fox Valley Ice Arena
Game 3: Steel at YNG - Monday, May 8 at 6:05 pm at Covelli Centre
Game 4: Steel at YNG - Tuesday, May 9 at 6:05 pm at Covelli Centre
Game 5 (if necessary): YNG at Steel - Thursday, May 11, 7:05 pm at Fox Valley Ice Arena
All times CST
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Players Mentioned

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

#13 Jack Harvey
: 5' 10"; 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