CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA — The Chicago Steel (1-1-0-0, 2 pts.) dropped their final game at the DICK'S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic in a 4-0 shutout loss to the Waterloo Black Hawks (1-0-0-0, 2 pts.) Saturday afternoon.
The Steel had five power play opportunities but could not convert in the loss, much in part to the strong play of Black Hawks goaltender Calvin Vachon, who stopped all 33 shots faced.
Steel netminder Louka Cloutier made 29 saves on 33 shots in his first appearance of the season.
The Black Hawks, playing in their first game of the season, scored their first goal of the contest in the opening period, a quick-developing play that saw Grady Deering carry up the left wall and give a pass to Kaeden Hawkins who found Reid Morich backdoor for an easy goal.
The second period featured a pair of goals for the opposition. The first was a wacky goal after a point shot was partially blocked but floated to the stick of Hawkins, who punched the puck past the outstretched stick of Cloutier to make it 2-0 Waterloo.
The Black Hawks added another after Bradley Walker won a board battle at the right half wall and skated down the right wing and fired a shot over the left should of Cloutier.
Chicago pushed 16 shots to Vachon's cage in the second period but couldn't get one by.
Waterloo added one more score in the third period, capitalizing on a Steel turnover as Hawkins scored his second goal of the day on a backdoor feed to finish the scoring.
The Steel were only shut out twice in the 2023-2024 season, on Nov. 24 (8-0) and Nov. 25 (6-0), both by the Fargo Force.
Chicago will return home and celebrate Opening Weekend on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7:05 pm and Saturday, Sept. 28 at 6:05 pm with tailgates slated before both games featuring live music, face painting, inflatable games, and more. Both tailgates will start two hours before puck drop outside the arena.
In addition to the pre-game fun, fans will want to head to Fox Valley Ice Arena early on Friday, Sept. 27 as the first 500 fans will receive a 2024-25 magnet schedule presented by Teqworks.
After Saturday's game, fans can lace up their skates and hit the ice for the first Skate with the Steel of the season.
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.
Season ticket plans are on sale now, starting at just 5 games for $50. Season ticket plans are built on flexibility as fans have the option of choosing their own games throughout the season with multiple benefits including season ticket gifts and special events.
Group tickets and experiences, suites and other premium areas, including the Coors Light Chill Zone and Ice Side Tables, are also on sale now.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL.
Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, September 27 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) | Opening Weekend | Pre-Game Tailgate | Magnet Schedule Giveaway (First 500 Fans) presented by Teqworks
Saturday, September 28 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (6:05 pm CT) | Opening Weekend | Pre-Game Tailgate | Skate with the Steel
Friday, October 4 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT)
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