Men's Ice Hockey 9/21/2023 3:14:00 PM

Steel Stun Sioux City with Overtime Win Thursday

Chicago scores three unanswered goals and wins opener over Sioux City Musketeers at DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA — After falling behind 2-0, the Chicago Steel (1-0-0-0, 2 pts.) roared back with three consecutive goals to force overtime and win in the extra frame over the Sioux City Musketeers (0-0-1-0, 1 pt.) at the DICK's Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic on Thursday afternoon in the team's regular season opener.

Charlie Major scored the game-winner for Chicago in the extra session, and goaltender Christian Manz stopped 40 shots to earn the victory.

The first period of the year saw the Musketeers as the aggressor for the majority of the first period with 17 shots to the Steel's six. Sioux City also earned the first power play of the contest just over five minutes into the frame.

The Steel handled the kill and maintained the scoreless tie for nearly the remainder of the period, but the Musketeers found an opening with just 14 seconds to play.

Riley Breuck made a nifty one-touch pass to the back door where Colin Kessler deflected it beyond the outstretched left pad of goaltender Manz for a 1-0 Sioux City lead. Kevin Fitzgerald added an assist on the game's opening goal. Kessler finished last season with five goals.

After being tested often in the first, Manz was again met with a barrage of Musketeers chances right off the draw in the second period. With momentum still on its side after the late goal to end the first, Sioux City added another after only 39 seconds.

Sioux City created a turnover in neutral ice, and Dylan Godbout skated up the left wing with room and fired a pass to a streaking Hagen Burrows who tapped into the open net, making it 2-0. The goal was Burrows' first of his junior hockey career.

Still pushing on the gas, the Musketeers remained a thorn in the side of the Steel, as well as Steel netminder Christian Manz, who put on a masterclass from the blue paint, stopping shots from all around the Sioux City attacking end. The only thing that slowed down Manz was a left skate repair that forced him to the bench momentarily halfway through the period.

The Steel finally got their best chance to break through on offense after reigning NAHL MVP and Rookie of the Year Joey DelGreco drew a penalty after a high-effort play in the Sioux City zone.

Ben Yurchuk had the best chances of the man advantage after whacking away at a far-side post opportunity, but Sioux City goaltender Samuel Urban stayed snug on the post to prevent a goal. The power play didn't pan out as the Musketeers were quick to the puck and forced the Steel back down the ice enough times to result in a commanding penalty kill.

Manz took a hit after an odd-man rush from the Musketeers resulted in a pileup in his crease, but he appeared okay and continued to put in a strong frame of work to keep the Steel within two heading to the third.

Down a pair of goals, Chicago entered the third period with a noticeable urgency in its game. After over 40 minutes, the Steel found the back of the net for the first time this season.

Second-year forward Grayden Slipec received a cross-ice pass from Owen Tylec and rifled a wrist shot over the blocker of Urban for the first Steel goal of the season. Slipec finished last year with four goals, while Tylec recorded the first point of his USHL career with the assist.

Just past the halfway point of the third, the Musketeers managed a three-on-one break, but defenseman Michael Hagens played the attack superbly, negating the Grade-A chance.

Following the excellent defensive stand, Chicago started up ice and Hunter Hady drew a cross-checking penalty that turned into a double minor after discussion from the officials.

It took just 60 seconds for the Steel to connect on the power play, and they did so with flying colors. Yurchuk toe dragged at the blue line to evade a defender, then found Thor Byfuglien to his left, who, while almost straddling the icing line, elevated a beautiful shot over Urban's shoulder for a picturesque power play goal that tied the game at two.

While still on the power play, the Musketeers were inches away from taking their lead back, but Manz continued to show his goaltending prowess with a clutch stop on a shorthanded breakaway, followed by another big save immediately after the first.

The Steel nearly took the first lead of the game with two minutes to play on a Jordan Brisson shot from the slot, but it was knocked away by Urban's blocker and ricocheted harmlessly into the corner.

Still tied at two, the opening game of the season for Chicago required overtime. The Steel kept possession for nearly all of the first minute of OT, and it was a turnover that actually helped create the game-winner.

After the Musketeers gained the puck in the far corner deep in the Steel offensive zone, Charlie Major crept in and stole the puck, bounded around the near post and into the slot, and sent a quick backhanded shot past the goaltender for the win.

All of Chicago's goals came in the third period, one on the power play. Manz easily turned in the greatest performance of the game, making 42 saves on 44 shots in an incredible performance.

The Steel will play in their second and final game of the DICK'S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic on Friday afternoon at 1:30 PM CT against the Lincoln Stars. The game can be viewed on FloHockey, with audio available on Mixlr.

After a game in Madison on Friday, Sept. 29, the Steel will return home to Fox Valley Ice Arena for Opening Night on Saturday, Sept. 30 with puck drop scheduled for 6:05 pm CT. The first 500 fans will receive a 2023-2024 magnet schedule courtesy of Teqworks. Tickets are on sale now.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, September 21 vs. Lincoln Stars at DICK'S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic, Cranberry Township, PA (1:30 pm CT)
Friday, September 29 at Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, September 30 vs. Muskegon Lumberjack (6:05 pm CT) Opening Night | Magnet Schedule Giveaway | Full Team Post-Game Autographs

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Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

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

Players Mentioned

#35 Christian Manz

Players Mentioned

#35 Christian Manz