General 3/23/2024 9:41:00 PM

Steel Shut Out RoughRiders 5-0 Saturday

Sigurdson’s first career shutout expands Steel playoff lead

GENEVA, IL — A defensive masterclass featuring a shutout from Quentin Sigurdson and multi-point efforts from Chicago's top line helped the Steel (25-23-3-4, 57 pts.) to a 5-0 win over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (23-25-5-2, 53 pts.) at Fox Valley Ice Arena Saturday night.

In a game with serious playoff implications, the win keeps Chicago in the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, holding a four point lead over Cedar Rapids with seven games remaining for each team.

Steel goaltender Quentin Sigurdson stopped all 17 shots to earn his fourth win of the season and first career USHL shutout. He has won each of his last three starts.

Mick Thompson scored two goals plus an assist, while Michael Hage added a goal and two assists. Charlie Major recorded two assists as well. Michael Emerson and Hudson Gorski scored the final two Steel goals in the victory.

Only five minutes into the game, Hage maneuvered around the outskirts of the Cedar Rapids defense and stickhandled his way into an opening.

From the left faceoff dot, Hage released a quick snapshot that sailed beyond the shoulder of RoughRiders netminder James Norton. Hage threw his hands to the air, thinking it was a goal, but play continued. Three minutes later, at the first whistle, the play was reviewed revealing the puck hit inside the right post and rang around the inside of the top of the goal mouth for a good goal.

The Steel stomped on the gas in the middle frame, scoring four times to take a commanding five-goal lead.

The onslaught began at 8:30 of the frame after a strong offensive zone setup, where Major put a shot towards the cage that was blocked, but Thompson swooped in to grab the rebound and shovel the puck around Norton to make it 2-0.

One minute after the goal, Cedar Rapids was assessed the game's first penalty, allowing Chicago's power play unit to go to work.

The Steel quickly converged on the RoughRiders net, and after a net-front scramble ensued, the puck was weakly cleared out towards the blue line, where Thompson stepped into a heavy shot for his second goal of the night.

With the offense buzzing, Cedar Rapids was again whistled for a penalty just three minutes later.

Wasting no time, Hage released a rising shot that ricocheted off Norton's helmet and tumbled towards the goal line. Emerson got a stick on the airborne puck to put it over the line for consecutive Steel power play goals that made it 4-0.

Chicago continued to give Cedar Rapids fits in the attacking end, as Gorski stepped his way past defenders and sniped a perfect shot glove side on Norton to extend the Steel lead to 5-0.

The Steel outshot the RoughRiders 16-4 in the middle frame, the lowest number of shots allowed by the Steel in a single period this season.

The home team continued to keep Cedar Rapids in check, holding them to just four shots again in a scoreless third period to put a stamp on the 5-0 win.

In addition to holding a four point lead in the standings, Chicago currently holds a three win advantage in the first tiebreak, regulation and overtime wins, and captured the season series with Cedar Rapids Saturday, three games to one.

Chicago will finish the weekend against the first place Dubuque Fighting Saints on Sunday, March 24 at 3:05 pm CT.

March 24 is Superheroes Day presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush with a special Superhero Rusty Bobblehead Giveaway to the first 500 fans in attendance. After the game, fans can Skate with the Steel. Plus, it's a Steel Family Pack Game with a great deal for families – four tickets, hot dogs, chips, soda/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 a limited time, fans can take advantage of the team's Ticket Plan Madness promotion to receive free regular season and playoff games for this season plus other benefits when signing up for a new ticket plan for the 2024-2025 season. Ticket plans start at just 5 games for $50.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Sunday, March 24 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (3:05 pm CT) | Superheroes Day presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush with Superhero Rusty Bobblehead Giveaway (first 500 fans) | Post-Game Skate with the Steel | Steel Family Pack Game
Friday, March 29 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, March 30 at Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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