The Chicago Steel swept this past weekend with victories over Cedar Rapids, at home, and Central Illinois, on the road.
On Friday, Chicago fell behind quickly when Cedar Rapids scored just over a minute into the game. However, this would be all the RoughRiders would manage on the score sheet. Chicago turned the table with three goals of their own, ending in a 3 – 1 victory at Fox Valley Arena.
Christian Sarlo put the Steel on the board with just over four minutes to play in the first period. The RPI commit extended his goal streak to three games with the marker, a simple shot through traffic that found its way to the back of the net.
In the second period, Chicago scored twice to extend their lead, which would turn out all they would need. Winger Ryan Shea whacked home his own rebound, at the 2:03 mark, which found its way past Cedar Rapid’s goaltender Troy Kobryn. Shea’s goal extended his point streak to three games.
Two minutes later, Travis Treloar extended the lead his point streak to five games after burying one past Kobryn. The Western Michigan commit was the recipient of a nice play started by center Adam Robbins and defenseman John Spatz.
There would be no scoring in the third period. Chicago would take the 3 – 1 victory. Head coach Greg Moore liked his teams effort, video courtesy of the Chicago Steel.
Post Game Interview: Greg Moore November 23, 2018 Chicago Steel https://t.co/cWEX5MKO93 via @YouTube
— Ray Napientek (@NapsakRay) November 26, 2018
The Steel would head south to Bloomington, IL to take on the Central Illinois Flying Aces on Saturday. The hard fought battle would end in a 4 – 2 victory for the Steel, capped off by a two-goal third period.
Flying Aces forward Tate Singleton scored just over one minute into the game, on the first shot for the Aces, and gave the home team the early lead. Chicago had now fallen behind early in both games on the weekend.
Steel left wing Robert Mastrosimone would tie the game at 1 – 1 on a goal assisted by Owen Power. The assist would be Power’s first of his USHL career.
Less than two minutes later, the Flying Aces would regain the lead and enter the first intermission ahead 2 – 1.
However, that would be all Steel goaltender Justin Robbins would allow. The third-year Steel veteran would turn aside the next 25 shots he would face, giving him his second victory on the weekend.
A pair of power play goals from defensemen Uula Ruikka and Matteo Pietroniro gave Chicago the lead. Ruikka’s goal, in the second period, found the back of the net with a shot from the point. Pietroniro’s goal, early in the third period, beat the Flying Aces goaltender glove side, giving the Steel their first lead of the game.
Mastrosimone scored his second goal of the night after picking up a nice pass from center Adam Robbins and firing a nice shot, giving the Steel the insurance goal with just over two minutes in the game.
The Steel held on for the 4 – 2 and extended their winning streak to five games.
WHAT’S NEXT – Central Illinois Flying Aces at Chicago Steel on November 30th – CRAZY HAT NIGHT
The Chicago Steel return home for Crazy Hat Night presented by School of Art. The special helmet auction will benefit the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. The Steel will be wearing the individually designed helmets from local students and artists. Each helmet will be auctioned through a silent auction during the game. All proceeds will be given to the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope.
This Friday night the Steel will become the first team in hockey history to wear individually designed helmets to be auctioned off to support kids battling cancer! It’s Crazy Hat Night presented by School of Art to support the Alyssa Alvin Foundation for Hope. pic.twitter.com/kVbiPVvn2w
— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) November 25, 2018