General 3/9/2025 6:40:00 PM Calvin Bush

Fighting Saints Squeak Out 3-2 Win Over Steel

Valentini and Schultz score for Chicago; Parsons stops 27 of 30 shots

GENEVA, IL — The Dubuque Fighting Saints (35-14-1-2, 73 pts.) scored a goal in all three periods and survived a late push by the Chicago Steel (16-30-4-1, 37 pts.) to hang on for a 3-2 victory Sunday afternoon at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

Adam Valentini scored his 15th goal of the season on a deflected shot in the second period and Ashton Schultz posted his 13th score of the year in the third for the Steel. Goaltender Jack Parsons made 27 saves on 30 shots.

The Fighting Saints finished the regular season winning all four games against the Steel and did not allow Chicago to score more than three goals in any matchup.

Dubuque started the scoring at 2:32 of the opening period when Lucas Van Vliet sent a pass from the left corner to Colin Frank at the left wing who skated towards the middle of the ice and scored.

The Steel went to the power play shortly after the goal and spent the entirety of the advantage in the attacking zone, sending several strong looks towards Dubuque goaltender Jan Spunar, but couldn't score.

The Fighting Saints received the next two power plays in the period and were stymied on the first one and were inches away from scoring on the next on a one-timer in the slot from Frank, but Parsons made a big blocker save.

Both teams had nine shots on goal in the first period.

Just 47 seconds into the second period, Chicago tied the game at one after Valentini made a great play to redirect a Callum Croskery point shot.

Dubuque took the lead back at 4:40 when Kristian Kostadinski rifled a shot from the left faceoff circle past Parsons, making it 2-1.

The Steel threatened later in the period when Ashton Schultz ripped a one-timer from the slot off a feed from Aidan Dyer, but was stopped by Spunar.

Parsons kept the Steel within one on a superb save on a Dubuque two-on-one, sliding left to right and sprawling out to stonewall Josh Giuliani.

The Steel again had a great chance to score when Alex Hage gave a feed to Hudson Gorski in the slot, but Spunar made a strong right pad stop.

Dubuque went to its sixth power play of the game early in the third period and Gavin Cornforth nearly scored after ripping a shot from the left circle that pinged loudly off the crossbar then rattled off the right post and out.

Shortly after the close call, Van Vliet scored when the Steel cleared the puck out of the slot directly to the Dubuque forward who wired a shot past Parsons.

Chicago stayed hot on the heels of the Fighting Saints and got back within one when Schultz made a dazzling play to flip the puck over a Dubuque defender and gain the offensive zone. Schultz dropped for Owen Tylec who wristed a shot on goal that deflected off Schultz and in to make it 3-2.

The Steel pulled Parsons for an extra attacker with under two minutes left and maintained solid zone time but couldn't get a good shot on goal.

The Steel will stay on home ice for a pair of games next weekend starting Friday, March 14 at 7:05 pm for Irish Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy. The Steel will wear special Irish-themed jerseys for the game which will be available for auction online starting Thursday, March 13. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Breakthrough T1D, formerly known as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Irish Night features a great ticket offer with the Irish Night Special, which includes two tickets to the game plus two Chicago Steel Beer Steins for just $45.

Chicago will finish its five-game home stretch on Saturday, March 15 at 6:05 pm for the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the movie Back to the Future presented by Best Day Housecleaning. After Saturday's game, fans are welcome to take the ice and Skate with the Steel.

All Steel tickets are digital, and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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, March 14 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks | 7:05 pm CT | Irish Night presented by Illinois Aviation Academy | Special Jersey Auction to benefit Breakthrough T1D
Saturday, March 15 vs. Green Bay Gamblers | 6:05 pm CT | 40^th Anniversary Celebration of Back to the Future presented by Best Day Housecleaning | Post-Game Skate with the Steel
Friday, March 21 at USA Hockey NTDP U18 | 6:00 pm CT

###

Print Friendly Version