General 1/19/2024 9:20:00 PM

Emerson Scores in Season Debut as Steel Top U17s

Byfuglien pots game-winner; Cloutier earns second straight win

PLYMOUTH, MI — In a back-and-forth affair that featured three ties, the Chicago Steel (12-17-2-2, 28 pts.) scored two unanswered goals early in the second period and shut the door thereafter in a 4-3 win over the USA Hockey NTDP (12-19-1-1, 26 pts.) at USA Hockey Arena Friday night.

Anthony Cardilli got Chicago on the board after the halfway point in the opening period on an odd-man rush goal, and Michael Emerson, appearing in his first game after returning to the Steel from the college ranks, scored on a quick wrister shortly after. Jordan Brisson displayed great effort in pouncing on a rebound in the crease for his sixth goal of the season. Thor Byfuglien rifled a snipe early in the second period that became the game winner.

Steel goaltender Louka Cloutier earned his fifth win of the season and his second straight victory with a 21-save effort.

In the first head-to-head matchup between the two teams since a thrilling overtime finish on December 3, the NTDP got the upper hand early when Will Moore lifted a shot over Cloutier for his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

It took some time, but the Steel found the equalizer just after the halfway point of the period.

Following an NTDP turnover, the Steel exited their own zone with numbers creating a great opportunity. Byfuglien carried in on the right wing and placed a pass to his left to Cardilli who made a single stickhandle to fake a pass, but instead sniped a short-side goal, his of the year.

The Steel persisted in the offensive zone and six minutes later, got another goal.

Following a clean zone entry, Emerson found space and ripped a beautiful shot under the crossbar to hop in front 2-1.

Emerson scored 30 goals with Chicago during the 2022-23 season.

The NTDP didn't let the consecutive goals keep it down for long, scoring a game-tying goal with 38 seconds left in the opening period, Moore's second score of the game.

The Steel posted 15 shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes to the NTDP's seven.

The NTDP capitalized on the late goal in the first period and took its lead back two minutes into the second period when Carter Amico scored his first goal of the season to make it 3-2.

Like they had done in the first, the Steel were steadfast on getting even and did so just 26 seconds later.

Chris Able sent a shot on goal that NTDP goaltender Joey Slavick thought he had frozen between his pads, but the puck squeaked through the five-hole and laid available in the blue paint.

With NTDP defenders plastered on him, Brisson muscled the puck into the back of the net to tie the game for the third time.

Brisson's goal was his sixth of the season. Lukas Sawchyn, who committed to the University of Denver earlier in the week, recorded a secondary assist on the goal.

Chicago continued to set the pace of the game and took its second lead of the night four minutes later.

With time and space at the blue line, Byfuglien kept his head up, looking for a good shooting lane. From the low left point, Byfuglien found one, ripping a wrist shot through a partial screen to score his fourth goal of the season and make it 4-3 Steel.

Byfuglien's goal at 6:42 of the second period would go down as the game-winning goal, as neither team found the back of the net in the third period despite a strong push late from the NTDP with an extra attacker.

Friday's victory is just the fifth win in regulation for the Steel this season. The other seven wins have come in overtime or shootout.

Chicago will round out the weekend in Plymouth with a matchup against the U18 team on Saturday, January 20 at 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 (12 oz. Coors Light/Miller Lite cans), sodas (12 oz. cans), hot dogs (regular) and popcorn.

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:
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
Saturday, January 27 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers (7:05 pm CT) | $2 Beers, Sodas, Hot Dogs, and Popcorn

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Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Able: D; 6' 2"; Freshman; Ohio State University

#12 Jordan Brisson: F; 6' 1"; Colorado College

#25 Thor Byfuglien: D; 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University

#26 Michael Emerson: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

#21 Anthony Cardilli: Forward; 6' 3"; Freshman; St. Cloud State University

#1 Louka Cloutier: Goaltender; 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha

Players Mentioned

#2 Chris Able
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Ohio State University
: D

#12 Jordan Brisson
: 6' 1"; Colorado College
: F

#25 Thor Byfuglien
: 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University
: D

#26 Michael Emerson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F

#21 Anthony Cardilli
: 6' 3"; Freshman; St. Cloud State University
: Forward

#1 Louka Cloutier
: 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha
: Goaltender