General 2/17/2024 12:15:00 AM

Steel Drop Shootout Heartbreaker

Tri-City scores twice on power play to take weekend opener

GENEVA, IL — Chicago responded to two early Tri-City goals with three consecutive scores and held a 4-3 advantage in the third period, but a late power play goal pushed the game to a shootout where the Steel (17-19-3-3, 40 pts.) fell to the Tri-City Storm (21-13-4-4, 50 pts.) 5-4 at Fox Valley Ice Arena Friday night.

The Storm tied the game with under seven minutes remaining in regulation and despite Chicago outshooting the Storm 4-0 in overtime, Tri-City scored on its first two shootout attempts and goaltender Cameron Korpi stopped a pair of Steel shots to earn the extra point.

Charlie Major was the first goal scorer for Chicago, followed by another strike just 12 seconds later from Kolin Sisson that tied the game. Michael Emerson scored the third straight Steel goal in the second period, and Joey DelGreco recorded the final goal, his 17^th of the season, later in the middle frame.

Chicago's Louka Cloutier made 20 saves in defeat after entering the game to start the second period.

Tri-City entered the game on a four-game win streak and continued to build on its strong stretch of games scoring just two minutes into action on Vsevolod Logvin's third goal of the season.

Two minutes later, the Storm pushed their lead to two goals when the puck found leading scorer Trevor Connelly at the left circle, and he ripped home a perfect shot over the right shoulder of Steel goaltender Christian Manz to cement a multi-point night after assisting the first goal.

The Steel, as they'd done many times on home ice during their dominant stretch in the new year, puffed out their chest and started the comeback effort.

Chicago was awarded a power play one minute after the Storm's goal, and a mesmerizing display of passing in Tri-City's zone paid dividends.

A dangerous opportunity was denied by the Storm penalty killers, but Chicago quickly regained possession below the faceoff circles. Michael Emerson sent a pass to the right circle for Mick Thompson, who one-touched a pass to Major in the slot.

With Storm netminder Cameron Korpi anticipating a shot from Thompson, the left portion of the net was open for Major who notched his 20^th goal of the season.

With renewed energy, the Steel pushed for the tying goal and found it just seconds later.

After winning the center-ice faceoff, Tobias Ohman found Sisson at the blue line, who weaved around a Storm defenseman and carried to the right wing. The rookie forward rifled a perfect wrist shot off the right post and in to tie the game.

The two Steel goals were scored just 12 seconds apart.

Chicago built off the consecutive goals in the second period following a great effort deep in Tri-City's zone.

Lukas Sawchyn evaded Storm defenders in the left corner and continued behind the cage. Sawchyn cleared the right post and dished a wonderful pass to Emerson in the slot who tapped the puck just inside the left post to give the Steel their first lead of the night.

Tri-City remained a thorn in the side of the Steel and pushed back four minutes later.

After a stretch pass ignited a potential breakaway, defenseman Hudson Gorski interrupted the chance, but puck became available in the slot for Blake Steenerson to fire over the glove of Cloutier to tie the game at three.

The tie only stood for a short two minutes as the Steel found yet another response.

Another commendable effort in the attacking zone created a chance for Chicago as Tobias Ohman won a puck battle in the left corner and found DelGreco in front of the net. DelGreco deflected the pass past Korpi to give the Steel a 4-3 lead.

Chicago outshot the Storm 10-5 in the middle frame.

The Storm were awarded their third power play of the night six minutes into the third period and nearly found the tying goal, but Cloutier made a handful of dazzling saves and finished the flurry with a windmill glove stop to put an exclamation point on the kill.

Tri-City went to the power play once again after the Steel were whistled for too many men for the second time of the night, and the road team made the second opportunity count.

Storm forward Artemi Nizameyev carried the puck through neutral ice and made a slick move past the last line of Steel defense before roofing a backhand that tied the game at four.

The power play goal for the Storm was the final goal regulation, sending the game to overtime for the tenth time at home this season for the Steel.

Chicago had several opportunities to win the game in overtime but Korpi made two outstanding stops, extending the game to the fourth shootout of the season for the Steel.

The first two shooters, Logvin and Cameron Briere, each scored for Tri-City, and neither Major nor Thompson could score in their attempts, giving Tri-City the win.

Chicago will stay on home ice Saturday and Sunday to continue their biggest home weekend of the season.

The Steel will host Chicago Steel: The Eras Night presented by McCormick FONA on Feb. 17 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.

Fans can take advantage of a Coors Light Pre-Game Party at Rookies All-American Pub and Grill before the game from 5 pm to 7 pm.

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:
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. Green Bay Gamblers (3:05 pm CT) | Steel Trading Card Set Giveaway (Part 1) | Family Pack Game | Full Team Post-Game Autographs
Friday, February 23 at Youngstown Phantoms (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

#35 Christian Manz: G; 6' 0"; Augustana University

#4 Hudson Gorski: Defense; 6' 4"; Freshman; 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

#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

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

#35 Christian Manz
: 6' 0"; Augustana University
: G

#4 Hudson Gorski
: 6' 4"; Freshman; Cornell University
: Defense

#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

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