Men's Ice Hockey 10/2/2026 10:15:00 PM Calvin Bush

Steel Shut Out 5-0 by Cedar Rapids

RoughRiders coast to victory to stay undefeated

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA — A trio of goals in the game's first seven minutes and a 19-save shutout performance from Joseph Skidmore lifted the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (5-0-0-0, 10 pts.) over the Chicago Steel (2-1-0-0, 4 pts.) 5-0 at ImOn Ice Arena Friday night.

It was the first time Chicago was shut out since April 11, 2025. The Steel were not shut out during the 2025-2026 season.

Goaltender Stepan Houdek stopped 17 shots in defeat. Alex Wang entered the game in the third period and stopped all three shots he faced.

The loss was Chicago's first of the season, leaving Cedar Rapids as the only remaining undefeated team in the Eastern Conference.

The RoughRiders opened the scoring three minutes into Friday's contest when Sullivan Miller dragged around a defender and ripped a shot on goal. The rebound bounced into the slot, and Henry Lechner fed it home for his team-leading fifth goal to give Cedar Rapids a 1-0 lead.

On the play, Chicago's Cole Bumgarner was issued a five-minute major and game misconduct, giving Cedar Rapids an immediate chance to capitalize with an elongated power play.

Just 37 seconds later, Carter Ernst added another tally to make it 2-0.

Halfway through the five minute penalty kill, Chicago was whistled for another infraction, giving Cedar Rapids two full minutes of a 5-on-3 advantage.

It took the RoughRiders just 15 seconds to break through with the two-man advantage when Noel Ohgren dished backdoor to Lucas Siomos for an easy score to give Cedar Rapids a 3-0 lead.

The Steel were tasked with another penalty kill late in the opening frame and were successful, keeping it a three-goal deficit heading to the second period.

Shots favored the RoughRiders after 20 minutes, 10-5.

Early in the second period, Chicago was an inch of leather away from scoring its first goal when Patrick Tolan lifted a shot that was snared with a windmill glove save by Skidmore.

Tensions continued to mount between the two teams and spilled over with nine minutes remaining when Houdek was run over by Sullivan Miller who crashed the net for an offensive chance.

The officials reviewed the play and issued Miller a five minute major and game misconduct for charging, sending Chicago to an extended power play.

Chicago's penalty struggles continued when an interference infraction wiped out two of the five minutes.

The Steel had just under 40 seconds of power play time after the expiration of the first penalty, and another cancelled out the final 14 seconds.

RoughRiders forward Theo Vantine nearly made it a four-goal lead for his squad late in the period with a chance outside the blue paint, but Houdek made a sprawling stop.

Chicago flipped the script in shots in the middle frame, outshooting the RoughRiders 11-8.

Cedar Rapids added two final tallies in a 1:08 span early in the third period with Lechner adding his second score of the game followed by a Liam Fournier tally.

The Steel will return home for their inaugural Opening Night at USG Arena on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 pm against Green Bay. After the game, fans can hit the ice for the first Post-Game Skate with the Steel this season.

Chicago will host a pair of games next weekend including 0K Night in honor of the Chicago Marathon on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 pm. Fans can purchase a special ticket offer that includes a ticket to the game, a special 0K t-shirt, and a select beverage for $35. The Steel will conclude the weekend on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3:00 pm for Ogre Day in celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the hit DreamWorks movie Shrek.

Oct. 10 is the first Family Pack game of the season. Fans can enjoy the ultimate family outing for just $25 per guest with a White Zone ticket, food and beverage, chuck-a-puck, and Blackhawks Ice Center Public Skate Pass and Skate Rental for four or more guests. Visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

Single-game, group, and premium seating tickets for the 2026-2027 season are on sale now. Season tickets are also available and start at just $15 per game.

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

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule:
Saturday, October 3 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (6:00 pm CT) | Inaugural Opening Night at USG Arena | Post-Game Skate with the Steel
Friday, October 9 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:00 pm CT) | 0K Night in Honor of the Chicago Marathon
Saturday, October 10 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (3:00 pm CT) Ogre Day | Celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of the movie Shrek | Steel Family Pack Game

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