Men's Ice Hockey 9/22/2023 4:45:00 PM

Comeback Falls Just Short in Finale At USHL Classic Friday

Chicago drops final game at DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic in a strong goaltending battle against the Lincoln Stars

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA — On the heels of a thrilling comeback victory on Thursday, the Chicago Steel (1-1-0-0, 2 pts.) were unable to repeat the feat, dropping a tough contest against the Lincoln Stars (1-1-0-0, 2 pts.) 3-1 on Friday afternoon in their second and final game of the DICK's Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic.

For the second straight contest, Chicago fell behind 2-0 after two periods before Reid Conn brought the Steel within one but Lincoln's defense prevented the equalizer and the Stars added an empty netter to ice the win.

The second game of the year saw a busy first period of play, as both the Stars and the Steel were whistled for three penalties aside, but neither side cashed in on any advantage. It was actually the shorthanded teams that netted the better opportunities during the majority of their penalty kills.

Right before the 17-minute mark, the Steel had arguably the best power play chance on a pass to the near side, but Charlie Major's shot just went off the outside of the net.

Lincoln cordially replied with a big chance, this one shorthanded with 15:40 to go, on a shorthanded breakaway, but Steel goaltender Louka Cloutier made the stop and shut down the rebound to keep things scoreless.

Chicago hit the power play again with 12:16 left in the first after Ben Yurchuk drew a penalty, but the Stars PK collapsed hard on the Steel power play unit, making it tough to establish a forecheck and keeping the Steel off the board.

After the halfway point, a boarding call against the Steel gave the Stars their second power play opportunity.

Immediately off the draw, a Stars point shot rattled off the post, marking their third hit off the iron of the period. The Steel remained steady on the kill and, like the Stars, were successful.

While still on the penalty kill, Major got loose on a shorthanded breakaway, but a tough save from Stars netminder Yan Shostak stymied the tiebreaking goal. The breakaway was the third shorthanded chance of the period for Major.

With a minute left, the Steel got a stellar back door chance, but the goaltending show continued with another stop by Shostak. While Chicago couldn't score, it resulted in their third power play in the final moments of the first.

The advantage didn't last, however, as the Steel were penalized for a crosscheck with only ten seconds on the clock, resulting in a 4-on-4 carryover into the second.

Cloutier saw 13 shots in the first twenty minutes of action.

The 4-on-4 didn't see a score, nor did the abbreviated advantage for the Stars to open the second frame.

Six minutes into the period, the Stars broke through after a rolling puck stopped short of the icing line, allowing a chance to develop.

Lincoln was proactive after the negated icing call, featuring Stars forward Jared Mangan putting a pair of shots off Cloutier and then banking a shot off the back of the Steel goalie, resulting in a goal to give the Stars a 1-0 lead.

Following the goal, the Stars continued to set up shop in the Chicago end, keeping constant zone time.

Just beyond the halfway point, Lincoln nearly extended its lead, but Cloutier made a remarkable save with his trapper loose while falling, momentarily keeping his team within a goal. The highlight-reel save was crucial, as Chicago had been on its heels for an extended length of time.

Chicago was inches from getting on the board with 5:20 to go in the period when Lukas Sawchyn made an exquisite play to work through the defense and try a between-the-legs shot that missed wide.

The ice tilted back Lincoln's way after the big chance for Chicago. After immense pressure, Jack Larrigan hit the brakes just above the right circle and sent a pass to Adam Kleber at the blue line, who fired a one-timer that Tyler Wood deflected to make it a 2-0 Stars lead.

Shostak bailed out the Stars with 40 seconds left when the first-year goaltender made an immaculate cross-crease save on a 2-on-1 to keep the lead at two.

Chicago held strong to start the third period, killing what was left of Lincoln's power play to stay within striking distance.

Three minutes into the third, Chicago finally found an opening and got on the board.

Jordan Brisson sent a perfect back door pass to Reid Conn, who deflected the puck just past the netminder to draw the Steel to within a goal. Lukas Sawchyn also cashed in with an assist on the goal.

Like Thursday's game, Friday showcased more incredible goaltending, and Stars goalie Shostak turned in one of the best of the game just before the 14-minute mark with a ten-bell save on a one-timer from the low slot.

Conversely, Cloutier also earned a bright spotlight from the crease with another huge save in close just past the six-minute mark.

The Steel continued to push towards earning the game-tying goal after pulling Cloutier late in the third, but the Stars blocked numerous Chicago shots before scoring an empty-net goal to put the game away.

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.

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Players Mentioned

#16 Reid Conn: Defense; 6' 5"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire

Players Mentioned

#16 Reid Conn
: 6' 5"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire
: Defense

Players Mentioned

#16 Reid Conn

Players Mentioned

#16 Reid Conn