CHICAGO SWEEP FIGHTING SAINTS IN DUBUQUE
The Chicago Steel needed some late game heroics on Saturday but the first-place Steel won both games on the road against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Chicago ran their record to 25–4–1–0 with the sweep, all the more impressive knowing the Fighting Saints currently reside in third place in the conference with a 20–8–1–0 record.
On Friday, goaltender Victor Ostman recorded his first USHL shutout with a 2–0 whitewashing of the home team. The Swedish netminder stopped 23 shots, 11 in the third period, while forwards Erik Middendorf and Gunnarwolfe Fontaine each scored.
Ostman was very appreciative of his team’s effort during the post-game interviews. “They blocked so many shots and helped me out tonight,” stated Ostman. “It was so nice to see them battling in front of me so I’m really thankful for that.”
The following night, Chicago set a franchise record with their eleventh straight victory and 18 of their last 19 games by the score of 4–3. Chicago scored two goals in the last minute of play to secure the win.
Erik Middendorf and Mathieu De St. Phalle each scored those last minute goals to overcome the deficit. Middendorf’s game winner was his seventh on the season. Goaltender Ian Shane turned aside 27 shots in net for the victory.
After the game, Head Coach Brock Sheahan spoke about the importance of playing good hockey and showing the right effort even when pressured at the end of the game. Click HERE for his comments.
The Steel are back in action this weekend with a two-game series against the Omaha Lancers. The Lancers will skate both nights at the Fox Valley Ice Arena at 7:05 p.m. CT.
FOUR PLAYERS NAMED TO FC HOCKEY TOP 100
The Steel’s success is not going unnoticed. Future Considerations released their winter rankings this past week and four members of the Steel are amongst the top talent for the 2020 NHL Draft.
Forward Sean Farrell ranked highest with his 33rd overall ranking. The Harvard University commit currently leads the team with 39 points and 29 assists, while chipping in 10 goals.
Sam Colangelo used his big frame to rank 62nd amongst the 2020 NHL hopefuls. The forward is currently second on the team with a 1.44 points-per-game average and is currently tied for the team lead in goals with 18, in only 25 games.
Steady defenseman Luke Reid follows up Colangelo at 77th in the Future Considerations rankings. The Warman, Saskatchewan native is trusted with many roles for his hockey team and succeeds in all three zones on the ice. Reid currently has one goal and nine assists on the season.
Rounding out the list is forward Brendan Brisson. Brisson currently has 15 goals and 15 assists on the season for the Steel. The University of Michigan commit is ranked 88th by Future Considerations.
You can check out all the Future Considerations winter rankings by clicking HERE.