General 2/10/2024 10:35:00 PM

Penalty-Filled Night Hinders Steel in Loss

Major scores two goals as Chicago racks up season-high 57 penalty minutes

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — Chicago kept the game close throughout the first two periods thanks to goals from Charlie Major, but a pair of third period scores doomed the Steel (17-19-3-2, 39 pts.) as they fell 5-2 to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (16-19-4-2, 38 pts.) at ImOn Arena Saturday night.

Three Cedar Rapids power play goals were the difference in the game as Chicago accumulated a season-high 57 penalty minutes.

Charlie Major was the lone goal scorer for Chicago, potting his 18^th and 19^th goals of the season. Steel netminder Louka Cloutier recorded 23 saves in defeat.

The RoughRiders had the opportunity to get to work early after a call against the Steel only 52 seconds into the game.

Cedar Rapids' power play unit came into Saturday's game ranked 12^th in the league, but they only took a minute to cash in on the first advantage of the game.

Leading scorer Amine Hajibi completed a great passing display by the RoughRiders after giving a pass to Landan Resendes at the left point who ripped a one-timer past Cloutier to open the scoring.

The Steel were assessed another penalty just over four minutes after the Cedar Rapids power play goal, but solid defense from the Steel created an opportunity.

Reid Conn disrupted a cross-ice pass and pushed the puck up ice to start a two-on-one rush with Mick Thompson carrying in on the left wing.

Thompson skated deep into the Cedar Rapids end, almost running out of real estate, but the veteran forward made an excellent pass to Major at the last moment, who had the entire net to tie the game at one.

The shorthanded goal was the fourth of the season for the Steel.

Two minutes after the goal, a large scrum ensued after a cover in the Steel end, resulting in a scrap between Lukas Sawchyn and Ryan O'Connell. A power play for the Steel came out of the chaos, but the RoughRiders killed it off.

It only took four minutes for another whistle against the Steel to send the home team to the power play for the third time in the opening 12 minutes, and the RoughRiders again made it count.

A seemingly harmless play quickly turned dangerous as Joel Kjellberg managed to push a tumbling puck into the slot for former Steel forward Hans-Martin Ulvebne who fired the puck home to give Cedar Rapids a 2-1 lead.

The Steel tallied 27 penalty minutes in the opening 20 minutes, while the RoughRiders racked up 23.

The RoughRiders got on the board just before the halfway point of the second period.

After a remarkable stick save by Cloutier, Cedar Rapids maintained possession in the Steel end as Kjellberg found Benjamin Muthersbaugh alone in the slot who sniped a shot blocker side to give the RoughRiders a two-goal lead.

Chicago worked to get back to within one and succeeded in doing so four minutes later.

Following a close chance that was turned aside by RoughRiders netminder James Norton, Chicago doubled down as Price Grimes dished a pass to Major in the slot who one-timed his second goal of the night to make it 3-2.

The RoughRiders sprung to action immediately in the final frame. While on the powerplay, defenseman Elliott Groenewold created a two-on-one rush, saucing a pass to his right for Ulvebne who deflected the puck past Cloutier, continuing his run against his former team with his second goal of the night.

The Steel desperately worked to draw back within a goal, but Cedar Rapids was quick to the puck and kept Chicago's chances in check, adding a final goal late in the third period from Kason Muscutt on a deflection in front to put the finishing touches on the 5-2 win.

The Steel will return home and host their first three-game home weekend of the season, featuring three of the biggest events of the year.

Friday, February 16 is Chicago Blackhawks Night, featuring an appearance from Tommy Hawk.

The Steel will then host Chicago Steel: The Eras Night presented by McCormick FONA at 7:05 pm CT, and wear special Taylor Swift-themed jerseys that will be auctioned online from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation.

The weekend will conclude with Part 1 of the Steel Trading Card Giveaway on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3:05 pm when the Steel host Madison. Fans can stick around for full team post-game autographs after the game.

Sunday, Feb. 18 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 16 vs. Tri-City Storm (7:05 pm CT) | Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring Tommy Hawk
Saturday, February 17 vs. Tri-City Storm (7:05 pm CT) | Chicago Steel: The Eras Night presented by McCormick FONA | Special Jersey Auction to benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation
Sunday, February 18 vs. Madison Capitols (3:05 pm CT) | Steel Trading Card Set Giveaway (Part 1) | Family Pack Game | Full Team Post-Game Autographs

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#3 Price Grimes: Defense; 6' 3"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire

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

#26 Hans-Martin Ulvebne: Forward; 6' 0"; Freshman; Bemidji State University

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

#3 Price Grimes
: 6' 3"; Freshman; University of New Hampshire
: Defense

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

#26 Hans-Martin Ulvebne
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Bemidji State University
: Forward

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