The Chicago Steel won both games this weekend to keep sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. On Friday, the Tri-City Storm outshot the Steel but Chicago came away with the 2–1 shootout victory. The following night, Chicago played an all-around solid game, beating the Storm 3–1. With the victories, Chicago owns a 19–4–1–0 record in the USHL.
In game one, Chicago’s John Spetz opened the scoring with his fifth goal this season. The goal, assisted by Erik Middendorf and Jack Babbage, would be the only regulation goal scored for the Steel.
Johnny Rockets with his 5th of the year https://t.co/eB3g31riGN pic.twitter.com/WBB32zhoch
— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) December 14, 2019
Tri-City scored their only goal of the game when forward Joseph Berg netted his third goal this season. The goal was assisted by defenseman Andrius Kulbis–Marino and forward Asa Kinnear.
With the scored tied 1–1 after five minutes of overtime, both teams entered the shootout with goals by forward Mackie Samoskevich and Kulbis–Marino. Steel goaltender Ian Shane would stop the next two shots he faced before Chicago’s Mathieu De St. Phalle finished off the game with his shootout goal against Storm goaltender Daniel Allin, giving the Steel the 2–1 victory.
Mackie Samoskevich with a nasty move of his own! @ChicagoSteel pic.twitter.com/dOdL9KqUpV
— USHL (@USHL) December 14, 2019
Mathieu De St. Phalle calls game with a bar down shot to give the shorthanded @ChicagoSteel the extra point! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/3azsCuVR5o
— USHL (@USHL) December 14, 2019
On Saturday, Steel goaltender Victor Ostman stopped 24 shots and defenseman Ryan Rufko scored his first USHL goal of his career.
Rufko’s goal started the scoring at the 3:21 mark of the first period. The goal, assisted by Dawson Pasternak and Owen Power would be the first of three first period goals for the home team.
De St. Phalle scored only 25 seconds after Rufko, extended the Chicago lead to 2–1, when Matt Coronato and Samoskevich assisted on the University of Wisconsin commit’s 16th goal of the season.
Mathieu De St. Phalle calls game with a bar down shot to give the shorthanded @ChicagoSteel the extra point! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/3azsCuVR5o
— USHL (@USHL) December 14, 2019
Samoskevich scored his fifth goal on the year only four minutes later when Coronato and De St. Phalle assisted on the play. The goal extended Chicago’ lead to 3–1 and gave all three forwards a multi-point game on the evening.
Tri-City scored in the second period when Benji Eckerle deflected a puck off his skate and in behind Ostman for his eleventh goal on the season. After review, the goal stood as it was determined there was no kicking motion.
Chicago would kill off three third period penalties to stifle the visitors and hold onto a 3–1 victory.