Men's Ice Hockey 10/9/2026 10:34:00 PM Calvin Bush

Steel Cruise to 5-0 Shutout Win Over Muskegon

Houdek records first USHL shutout, Millett scores two as Steel top Lumberjacks

CHICAGO, IL — Backed by a 32-save shutout by Stepan Houdek and a two-goal showing from captain Jason Millett, the Chicago Steel (3-1-1-0, 7 pts.) defeated the Muskegon Lumberjacks (3-3-0-1, 7 pts.) with a 5-0 win at USG Arena Friday night.

It was the first time the Steel shut out an opponent since last season on Jan. 18, 2026 and was the second time in five games the team scored five or more goals.

Houdek's 32 saves were the second-most in a game this year as he recorded his third win of the season.

Millett scored his first and second goals of the season. Reese Tracy scored his first USHL goal and added an assist. Matyas Svrcek also scored his first USHL goal while making his Steel debut. Dallas Vieau scored his first goal of the season.

It was Chicago's first shutout victory and first official regular season home victory at USG Arena.

Chicago opened the game with the first tally at 2:19 when Tracy batted the puck out of the air at center ice and turned the other way. Tracy faked out a defender to create space and dragged and fired a laser over the glove of Muskegon netminder Oscar Westman to put the Steel ahead 1-0.

The Steel added another score five minutes later while on a power play thanks to Jayden Kurtz who made an all-out stop at the blue line to hold the offensive zone and continue the push.

While holding below the goal line, Harrison Smith dished a saucer pass to the back door for Millett, who put a perfect shot past Westman, making it 2-0.

The Steel nearly added another tab with seven minutes left when Millett fired a perfect pass through the neutral zone to spring Benson Grande on a breakaway, but the shot was flipped high.

Muskegon went to the man advantage with five minutes left with a chance to get back within one, but the Steel penalty kill was quick to the puck, pressuring the Lumberjacks enough to blank their power play opportunity.

Chicago had one more chance on the man advantage near the end of the period and again looked strong for the full two minutes but couldn't find the back of the net.

Shots favored Chicago 10-8 after the first frame.

The Steel added to their lead in the second after a flurry of chances were initially stymied by Westman, but Millett stepped into a rebound from the hash marks and wired his second goal of the night to make it 3-0.

Svrcek scored his first USHL goal in his debut when Joe Erickson spun and fired on goal, and the rebound kicked directly to Svrcek who muscled a shot past Westman, giving Chicago a 4-0 lead.

Westman was pulled following the goal and Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz came in for Muskegon.

Muskegon outshot the Steel 12-9 in the second frame to hold a 20-19 shots lead going to the third.

Chicago added one more goal to its count at the nine-minute mark of the third period when Vieau snapped a perfect shot from below the circles, capping off the dominant victory.

The Steel will conclude the home weekend on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3:00 pm on 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.

Fans can also catch a full day of Chicago hockey with the Ultimate Doubleheader ticket offer, which includes a ticket to the Chicago Steel game on Oct. 10 and a ticket to the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Carolina Hurricanes game at 6:00 pm for just $79.

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 10 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (3:00 pm CT) Ogre Day | Celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of the movie Shrek | Steel Family Pack Game
Saturday, October 17 at Madison Capitols (6:05 pm CT)
Friday, October 23 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (7:00 pm CT) | Friday Night Frights

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