General 1/14/2024 6:09:00 PM

Cloutier Silences Buccaneers in 3-0 Shutout

Wilmott and DelGreco score in consecutive games

URBANDALE, IA —Chicago's Louka Cloutier displayed a goaltending masterclass as the Steel (11-17-2-2, 26 pts.) posted their second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers (12-17-4-0, 28 pts.) at Buccaneer Arena Sunday afternoon.

It took nearly 40 minutes before Tobias Ohman broke open the scoring with under a minute left in the second period. Seconds into the third frame, Joey DelGreco got on the board for the second consecutive game and Ben Wilmott put a bow on the win with a goal for the second straight game late in the third.

Cloutier was marvelous between the pipes, making 33 saves on 33 shots for his first career USHL shutout.

It was the first Steel victory this season by more than two goals and Chicago has now earned at least one standings point in four straight games and five of its last six contests.

The first period went scoreless, much in part to Cloutier making nine stops. The best save came on a high-quality shot from the left circle that Cloutier squeezed between the one-hole at the back end of the first period.

The Buccaneers went to the power play twice in the second period, but the Steel penalty kill turned the unit away.

Chicago received its first power play just past the halfway point of the middle frame and, similar to Des Moines, saw limited chances and was held off the board.

Cloutier was tasked with more difficult stops late in the period with another great look for Des Moines as a blocked shot dropped free on the doorstep, but Cloutier stayed collected in the crease and made a complex stop to keep the game scoreless.

The big-time stop from Cloutier sprung the Steel the other way and opened the door to the first score of the game.

With the Buccaneers deep in the attacking zone, Kolin Sisson broke out in a two-on-one rush with Ohman to his right.

Sisson skated in tight at the left wing and sent a perfect pass into the wheelhouse of Ohman who ripped a one-timer past Des Moines netminder Ethan Dahlmeir to give the Steel a 1-0 lead with 49 seconds left in the period.

The energy from the late second period goal carried over into the third for Chicago as it took just 26 seconds of play to get another score on the board.

With the Steel deep in the attacking end with possession, Charlie Major emerged from a board battle with the puck and, as he's done plenty this season, found DelGreco at the back door who fired past Dahlmeir to extend Chicago's lead to 2-0.

The majority of the third stayed scoreless up until another great breakout from the Steel set up a picturesque goal.

After creating a turnover in their own end, the Steel exited with Owen Tylec quarterbacking the rush. The Notre Dame commit skated deep along the left wing and dropped a pass for Wilmott who hammered a wicked shot under the bar to make it 3-0 and put the game on ice.

Chicago will travel to Plymouth, MI and face off against the USA Hockey NTDP U17 team on Friday, January 19 and the U18 team on Saturday, January 20, with both games scheduled for 6:00 pm CT.

The next home matchups for Chicago are Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 with both games at 7:05 pm.

Jan. 26 is Out of This World Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy, where the Steel will wear special space-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

On Jan. 27, fans can cash in on a great promotion with $2 beers and concessions.

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, January 19 at USA Hockey NTDP U17 (6:00 pm CT)
Saturday, January 20 at USA Hockey NTDP U18 (6:00 pm CT)
Friday, January 26 vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 pm CT) | Out of This World Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy with Special Jersey Auction to benefit JDRF

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Players Mentioned

#20 Charlie Major: F; 5' 10"; Cornell University

#7 Kolin Sisson: Forward; 5' 9"; Freshman; Providence College

#10 Joey DelGreco: Forward; 5' 10"; Freshman; Augustana University

#23 Tobias Ohman: Forward; 5' 8"; Freshman

#24 Owen Tylec: Forward; 5' 10"; Freshman

#29 Ben Wilmott: Forward; 6' 0"; Freshman; Northeastern University

Players Mentioned

#20 Charlie Major
: 5' 10"; Cornell University
: F

#7 Kolin Sisson
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Providence College
: Forward

#10 Joey DelGreco
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Augustana University
: Forward

#23 Tobias Ohman
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: Forward

#24 Owen Tylec
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: Forward

#29 Ben Wilmott
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Northeastern University
: Forward