General 11/23/2024 10:12:00 PM

Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to RoughRiders

Losing skid hits seven games despite outscoring Cedar Rapids 3-1 in final two periods

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — After trailing 3-0 following one period, the Chicago Steel (6-13-2-0, 14 pts.) scored consecutive goals to get within one, but the Cedar Rapids Roughriders (6-10-1-1, 14 pts.) kept the Chicago rally at bay to record a 4-3 win at ImOn Ice Arena Saturday night.

Aidan Dyer scored his fifth goal of the season and his first in seven games for Chicago, and Teddy Mutryn scored on the power play for his seventh goal of the season that ended a five-game goal drought. Ashton Schultz also tallied a power play goal for his sixth goal of the season. Goaltender Jack Parsons made 29 saves in the loss.

Cedar Rapids received a favorable bounce that helped get the game's first goal under four minutes into play. A shot by Amine Hajibi from the right half wall ricocheted off the leg of a Steel defenseman and trampolined straight to Jason Musa, who batted the puck into the back of the net to open the scoring.

The home team got another tally just 47 seconds later when they won an offensive zone faceoff and former Steel forward Hans-Martin Ulvebne flew in, scooped the loose puck, and deked around Parsons for a goal to make it 2-0.

The Steel were inches away from getting on the board when Dyer entered the offensive zone in a two-on-one with Henry Major and rifled a shot that deflected off the crossbar.

The RoughRiders took a three-goal lead later in the opening frame, capitalizing on a failed Steel zone exit. Kole Hyles helped create a turnover in the slot area and Cayden Casey finished the job with a shot past a partially-screened Parsons.

The physicality ramped up as the period went on, and a boarding call and retaliatory play created four-on-four action with 1:30 left in the first.

With extra space to work with, Dyer saw another strong look after getting the puck off a turnover in the slot, deked backhand to forehand and tried to tuck around RoughRiders goaltender AJ Reyelts, but the left pad covered the post for a big stop.

Cedar Rapids outshot the Steel 14-4 in the opening frame.

Less than a minute into the second, Schultz showed great awareness and patience by sticking with the puck below the icing line before dropping a pass to Kolin Sisson in the slot, who had his shot stopped by Reyelts.

Chicago's work on offense paid off at the three-minute mark of the second after a miscommunication from Cedar Rapids in the neutral zone sprung Major and Dyer on another chance, and this time it connected as Major dished across to Dyer for a goal to make it 3-1.

Less than two minutes later, Cedar Rapids went to the penalty kill and the Steel spent the entire advantage in the attacking zone before getting another score.

With pristine passing up and down the offensive end and a tired penalty kill unit on the ice for the opposition, Schultz gave a pass to Adam Valentini at the left circle who sauced the puck to Mutryn at the back door. His initial shot was kept out by Reyelts, but the follow up got through for a power play goal that cut the deficit to one.

The RoughRiders recorded 14 shots on goal for a consecutive period to hold a 28-14 advantage after two.

After 26 minutes of scoreless action since its first period outburst, Cedar Rapids got on the board again with the eventual game-winning goal when Casey added his second of the night to make it 4-2.

One minute after Casey's goal, the RoughRiders persisted and got a breakaway opportunity, but Parsons made a stop to keep Chicago within reach.

Four minutes after the goal, the Steel went to the power play again and continued to surge with their man advantage unit.

Owen Tylec was initially stopped on a Grade-A one-time chance with an incredible save by Reyelts, but the Steel kept pushing and scored the final goal of the game as Schultz tapped in a backdoor feed from Tylec with six minutes left.

The Steel received a power play with under four minutes to play, but couldn't find the equalizer, as Cedar Rapids held on to capture the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

Next up for Chicago is the Green Bay Gamblers on Wednesday, November 27 at 7:05 pm CT.

The next home game for the Steel is Saturday, Nov. 30 at 6:05 pm where Chicago will host a night of Thanksgiving weekend fun against the Madison Capitols. All fans are invited to stick around after the game for Full Team Post-Game Autographs.

All Steel tickets are digital, and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For a limited time, fans can purchase the Steel Holiday Plan which includes one ticket to Chicago Blackhawks Night, two additional Steel games of your choice, and a ticket to one Chicago Blackhawks Game (either January 13 vs. Calgary or January 20 vs. Carolina). The package costs just $55.

Group tickets and experiences, suites and other premium areas, including the Coors Light Chill Zone and Ice Side Tables, are also on sale now.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Wednesday, November 27 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, November 30 vs. Madison Capitols (6:05 pm CT) | Thanksgiving Weekend Fun | Full Team Post-Game Autographs
Friday, December 6 at Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT)

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