General 2/3/2024 11:45:00 PM

Point Streak Ends After Tough Loss to Muskegon

Chicago scores first three goals but Lumberjacks respond with five unanswered

GENEVA, IL — Chicago took an early 3-0 lead in game's first seven minutes but allowed five straight goals from there as the Steel (15-18-3-2, 35 pts.) fell to the Muskegon Lumberjacks (23-14-1-1, 48 pts.) 5-3 at Fox Valley Ice Arena Saturday night.

Ben Wilmott scored his fifth goal of the season two minutes into the game, and Thor Byfuglien also sniped his fifth goal just 45 seconds later. Mick Thompson scored the final Steel goal four minutes later, his 16^th of the season.

Steel goaltender Louka Cloutier made 26 saves in the loss.

Saturday marked the first loss in regulation for the Steel in the new year, and the first game the team didn't record a point in ten games.

Looking for their first win against the Lumberjacks this season, the Steel came out with force and opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game.

After a point shot from Hudson Gorski was turned aside, a rebound became available for Wilmott, who was parked in the slot. Without haste, Wilmott pounced on the rebound and shoved it into the open net.

Just 45 seconds later, the Steel strategically worked around Muskegon's zone to open a lane and score again.

Tobias Ohman carried the puck along the right wing and was cut off, but while circling back up drew in two Muskegon defenders, allowing Byfuglien to skate in from the blue line.

Gathering speed, Byfuglien skated to the top of the faceoff circles and sent a blistering wrist shot past Muskegon goaltender Miles Roberts to extend the lead.

It took the Steel just four minutes to again put the Lumberjacks on their heels and create a strong rush to get a goal.

Like he has countless times, Michael Hage used his excellent stickhandling and speed to cut through Muskegon defenders to get a half-breakaway opportunity. After Roberts made an initial save, Thompson flew in and poked the free puck home to cap off a three-goal stretch in 4:46, ending Roberts' night.

The Lumberjacks finally ceased the onslaught with a late goal from Cody Croal to get within two heading to the second period.

The middle frame saw Muskegon completely flip the script and go full blast on offense.

Four and half minutes into the second period, the Lumberjacks' leading goal scorer Sacha Boisvert added to his count with his 22^nd goal of the season bringing Muskegon to within a goal.

Chicago held off the push from the opposition for a short time, but Muskegon stayed heavy on the attack and tied the game at three on Justin Solovey's 14^th score of the season.

The three straight Muskegon goals were just the tip of the iceberg, as Ethan Whitcomb got a power play goal past Cloutier to give the away team its first lead of the night and erase the 3-0 deficit.

After outshooting the Lumberjacks 12-11 in the opening period, the Steel were outshot 14-5 in a one-sided second period.

Muskegon continued to lay on the gas pedal and push the pace offensively, nearly taking a two-goal lead early in the third period on a back-door look, but Cloutier made a sprawling stop to his left that kept the Steel within one.

Chicago worked tirelessly to tie the game, but Muskegon netminder Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev, who came on in relief in the opening period, remained poised in the crease and slammed the door closed, stopping all 17 shots he faced.

In one final attempt to get the game's tying goal, the Steel brought an extra attacker on, but Boisvert cleared the Muskegon zone and fired into the empty net to close out the contest and give Muskegon the 5-3 win.

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:
Sunday, February 4 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (3:05 pm CT) | Rusty's Birthday with Mascot Hockey Game | Family Pack Game
Friday, February 9 vs. Madison Capitols (7:05 pm CT) | Women in Sports Night | Pregame Panel
Saturday, February 10 at Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

#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

#30 Miles Roberts: G; 6' 1"; Uncommitted

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

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

#29 Ben Wilmott: Forward; 6' 0"; Freshman; Northeastern University

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

Players Mentioned

#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

#30 Miles Roberts
: 6' 1"; Uncommitted
: G

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

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

#29 Ben Wilmott
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Northeastern University
: Forward

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