Des Moines 3, Chicago 1
Chicago entered the weekend on an eight-game winning streak but would have to settle for a split this past weekend. Des Moines took Friday night’s game 3 – 1, while Chicago would bounce back against Omaha 2 – 1 on Saturday.
In Des Moines, the Buccaneers would open the scoring with 4:13 left to play in the first period. Forward Reed Lebster pounded home a rebound, given up by Chicago goalie Justin Robbins, and slipped it past the veteran netminder.
The score would remain 1 – 0 at the end of both the first and second periods, respectively. Buccaneers goaltender Roman Durny and Robbins exchanged excellent saves to keep the score close.
Des Moines would take a 2 – 0 lead, 3:51 into the third period, when forward Rylee St. Onge found the five-hole of Robbins. The goal, assisted by forward Mac Welsher, was scored after a nice feed from Welsher to St. Onge.
After not scoring on a five-on-three power play, Chicago would finally find the back of the net during a four-on-four. Forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine found the puck on his stick after a goal-mouth scramble and slipped one past Durny. The goal, with 6:34 left to play, cut the Buccaneer lead in half, 2 – 1.
Center Nick Abruzzese would assist on the Fontaine goal, extending his point streak to seven games (3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points).
Chicago would pull Robbins for the extra attacker, with 1:30 left in the game, but could not even the score, even after sustained pressure on Des Moines. Defenseman Mattio Pietroniro had an excellent chance and hit the goal post with :30 to play, but could not tie the game.
Reed Lebster would score his second of the night, an empty net goal for the Buccaneers, with less than a second to play, giving Des Moines the 3 – 1 victory.
Chicago would not have to wait long to start another winning streak.
Chicago 2, Omaha 1
Chicago goaltender Reilly Herbst, finding himself playing the backend of the back-to-back, would help the Steel with a 26-save performance get back on the winning side.
Christian Sarlo opened the scoring, his fifth goal of the season, at the 5:42 mark. Forward Nick Abruzzese and defenseman Matteo Pietriniro assisted on the goal.
The Steel would take a 2 – 0 lead, 3:42 into the second period, when forward Mathieu De St. Phalle slipped one past Omaha goaltender Akira Schmid. The Wisconsin commit found himself in front of Schmid, with Jake Schmaltz, and trickled an attempt across the goal line.
Herbst and Schmid exchanged excellent saves, keeping the game 2 – 0 until late in the third when Omaha finally found the scoresheet.
Ryan Savage beat Herbst, redirecting a shot from the point, cutting the lead to 2 – 1. However, the Lancers could not solve the Steel defense with a few attempts to tie the game.
Chicago walked away with a 2 – 1 win, their ninth in ten games.
The Steel play a three-game weekend series as the team travels to Youngstown for games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.