General 1/27/2024 10:55:00 PM

Chicago Stays Hot with Fifth Consecutive Victory

Steel score final four goals of game, earn standings point for eighth straight contest

GENEVA, IL — Chicago erased a 2-0 deficit with four straight goals in the game's final 40 minutes to earn their second consecutive weekend sweep and fifth straight victory as the Steel (15-17-2-2, 34 pts.) knocked off the Des Moines Buccaneers (13-20-4-0, 30 pts.) 4-2 at Fox Valley Ice Arena Saturday night.

The Steel have earned a point in each of their last eight contests and are 14-9-1-1 since a difficult 1-8-1-1 start to the season.

Defenseman Chris Able got the Steel on the board halfway through the second period with his third goal of the year, followed by Michael Emerson sniping the tying goal late in the second. Michael Hage ripped a shot five-hole for his 16^th goal of the season that became the game-winner, and Tobias Ohman wrapped up the scoring with his fourth of the year to close out the win.

Steel netminder Louka Cloutier continued to excel in the crease, making 32 saves to earn his eighth win. He has been between the pipes for each of Chicago's wins during the current winning streak.

Two weeks after being shut out by the Steel on home ice, the Buccaneers came out firing and removed the possibility of another shutout after getting on the board less than five minutes into the opening period.

Des Moines leading scorer Ben Kevan continued his fine stretch of play with an early goal to give the Buccaneers the lead. It was his 17^th goal, moving him into the league lead in points and goals for rookie scoring.

Less than two minutes later, Kevan again reaped the benefits of great passing around the attacking zone which led to a rebound which he put past Cloutier to make it a 2-0 Des Moines lead.

The Buccaneers could only hold off the rolling Steel for so long as Chicago broke through midway through the second period.

Skating along the right half-wall, Able picked the puck and skated towards the blue line before unloading a wrist shot. The point shot deflected off of a Des Moines skate and went airborne, through net-front traffic and past an unsuspecting Buccaneers goaltender Ethan Dahlmeir to bring the Steel within a goal.

Chicago kept the momentum alive and drew a penalty six minutes later to head to its first power play of the night.

The Steel staved off an aggressive Des Moines penalty kill and held the blue line, resulting in a perfect chance for Emerson. With the Buccaneers' killers too far toward the neutral zone, Thor Byfuglien found Emerson at the left circle who skated to the hash marks and ripped a superb snipe off the left post and in to tie the game at two.

Emerson's goal was his second of the year and first on home ice since returning to the Steel this season.

Michael Hage nearly untied the game early in the third period after an elongated cycle in the offensive zone, rifling a snap shot off the left shoulder of Dahlmeir.

The Buccaneers matched the Steel chance and got a breakaway opportunity and chance at a hat trick from Kevan, but Cloutier got enough of the puck to deflect it wide.

Cloutier received an assist from a backchecking Michael Hagens, who was whistled for holding to partially interrupt Kevan's chance. The Steel successfully killed the penalty to keep the game tied.

With nine minutes remaining in regulation, the Steel got the surge they had been looking for. With the puck deep in the Buccaneers' zone, Mick Thompson circled up from the icing line and sauced a pass to Hage in the slot who fired five-hole through Dahlmeir to put Chicago on top 3-2.

Ohman put the finishing touches on the win, scoring from the slot with a great shot off the right post.

The Steel will play on the road on Friday, Feb. 2, against the Dubuque Fighting Saints before returning home for a pair of games next weekend.

Chicago will host Star Wars Night on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7:05 pm against the Muskegon Lumberjacks, and feature a special Star Wars Ticket Pack that includes two white zone tickets and a red Steel lightsaber for just $40.

The Steel will round out the weekend hosting Rusty's Birthday presented by Chasers Laser Tag with a mascot hockey game during intermission on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 3:05 pm.

February 4 is a Steel Family Pack game where fans can get four tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas/waters and chuck-a-pucks for just $60.

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, February 2 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, February 3 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) | Star Wars Night
Sunday, February 4 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (3:05 pm CT) | Rusty's Birthday presented by Chasers Laser Tag | Steel Family Pack Game

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Players Mentioned

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

#11 Michael Hagens: D; 5' 11"; Harvard University

#14 Mick Thompson: F; 5' 8"; Harvard University

#19 Michael Hage: F; 6' 0"; Uncommitted

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

#11 Michael Hagens
: 5' 11"; Harvard University
: D

#14 Mick Thompson
: 5' 8"; Harvard University
: F

#19 Michael Hage
: 6' 0"; Uncommitted
: F

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

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

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

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