DUBUQUE, IA — A late second-period score from Michael Hage and a power play goal in the third from Joey DelGreco kept Chicago close, but three consecutive goals in the first two periods from Dubuque was enough as the Steel (27-26-3-4, 61 pts.) fell to the Fighting Saints (40-12-3-5, 88 pts.) 4-2 at ImOn Arena on Saturday night.
Michael Hage scored his 33rd goal of the season to extend his point streak to four games with seven points.
Joey DelGreco recorded his 21st goal in his third consecutive game recording a point.
Defenseman Reid Conn skated in his 100th career USHL game, and Caden Campion made his USHL debut.
Goaltender Louka Cloutier made 26 saves in defeat. He has faced at least 30 shots in 12 consecutive starts.
After having to play from behind on Friday, the Fighting Saints hopped into the driver's seat to start Saturday's game when Joona Vaisanen collected a loose puck and fired blocker side on Cloutier to start the scoring.
Five minutes after the opening goal, team assists leader Juraj Pekarcik made a pass from the slot to Erik Pahlsson at the left faceoff circle who fired a one-timer to make it 2-0.
The Fighting Saints outshot the Steel 15-1 in the first 20 minutes of play. The single shot on goal was the lowest in a period of play for the Steel this season.
At 4:50 of the second period, Dubuque created a turnover at its blue line, and Beckett Hendrickson sprung Pekarcik on a breakaway where he scored to increase the Fighting Saints lead to 3-0.
With the ice tilt finally evening out, the Steel broke through with just over four minutes left in the middle frame.
Hunter Hady made a great effort to hold the offensive zone, then found Kolin Sisson at the back door. Skating right to left in front of the net, Sisson dropped a no-look pass to Hage who ripped a shot to make it 3-1.
Dubuque didn't let the Steel garner any momentum going into the third, as Hendrickson pounced on a rebound in the slot and scored at 1:45 of the period to give the Fighting Saints another three-goal lead.
Penalties were a rarity on Saturday, but the Steel made the most of its first power play of the night in the third period.
Chicago efficiently worked through neutral ice and into Dubuque's end. After gaining the blue line, Owen Tylec tapped a pass to a surging DelGreco, who fired a long-range shot from just inside the line that snuck through Dubuque netminder Dylan Johnson for a power play goal that made it 4-2.
The Steel continued to push but Dubuque staved off the effort to hang on and win 4-2.
Chicago will return to home ice for the final games of the regular season on Friday, April 12 at 7:05 pm and Saturday, April 13 at 6:05 pm CT with both matchups against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
On April 12, fans can take advantage of $2 specials on hot dogs, soda, and popcorn, and $3 beers. April 13 is the final home game of the regular season and is Fan Appreciation Night where fans can win hundreds of available prizes from team sponsors.
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:
Friday, April 12 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) | $2 Hot Dogs, Sodas, and Popcorn | $3 Beers
Saturday, April 13 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:05 pm CT) | Fan Appreciation Night | Hundreds of Prizes
Clark Cup Playoffs Begin April 15
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