Chicago 6, Central Illinois 5
The Chicago Steel scored three goals in a span of 1:40 of the third period and held off a late push by the Central Illinois Flying Aces for a 6–5 victory. With the win, Chicago maintained sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference, which holds a first-round bye in the Clark Cup Playoffs.
Chicago scored first when forward Christian Sarlo beat Central Illinois goaltender Mitchell Gibson at the 2:11 mark of the first period. The goal, assisted by forwards Travis Treloar and Jake Schmaltz, was Sarlo’s 12th goal on the season.
Defenseman Connor Meyer put the Flying Aces on the board two minutes later to tie the game at 1–1. The goal beat Steel goaltender Justin Robbins five-hole on a breakaway.
At the 14:49 mark in the first period, forward Josiah Slavin buried his 23rd goal of the season on the power play. Defenseman Matteo Pietroniro and forward Neal Shea assisted on the goal.
After Central Illinois tied the game late in the first period, the Flying Aces scored first to start the second period and take the lead at 3–2 at the 7:45 mark of the period.
Chicago answered back when Shea fired his 15th goal of the year, again on the power play, with an assist from defenseman John Spetz and Owen Power.
With the score tied 3–3 after two period of play, Chicago jumped on the Flying Aces with a three-goal barrage. Forwards Robert Mastrosimone, Mathieu De St. Phalle and Slavin scored in a span of 1:40 to extend the Chicago lead to 6–3.
The Flying Aces scored twice in the second half of the third period, however, Chicago held on for the 6–5 victory, giving Robbins his 25th win of the season.
Chicago 8, Muskegon 1
With another must win situation on Saturday night, the Chicago Steel scored first and often to stun the Muskegon Lumberjacks 8–1. The victory secured the first-round bye the Steel were fighting for with the Youngstown Phantoms and Cedar Rapid RoughRiders.
Defenseman Luke Reid started the scoring with his second goal of the season at the 3:51 mark of the first period. Muskegon answered back three minutes later with their only goal of the night.
Chicago answered back at the 12:54 mark when Cole Quisenberry found he back of the net for his 11th goal of the season.
Samoskevich with a perfect feed to Quisenberry alone in front! 👌@ChicagoSteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/UjCVxdXBUd
— USHL (@USHL) April 13, 2019
After one period of play, Chicago led 2–1 but would explode for three goals in the second frame when forward Adam Robbins, Power and forward Nick Abruzzese extended the Steel lead to 5–1.
Abruzzese’s goal, on a penalty shot, was his first of the game as he would score again early in the third period.
Shark attack! 🦈
The Bullshark, that is.
Abruzzese goes 🖐 hole on the penalty shot and scores!@ChicagoSteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/lwIfiusOzT— USHL (@USHL) April 14, 2019
Mathieu De St. Phalle and Quisenberry both scored within the next four minutes to extend the Steel lead to 8–1 and the victory on the evening. Steel goaltender Reilly Herbst stopped 21 shots earning 12th victory of the year.
While earning the first-round bye in the Clark Cup Playoffs, Chicago will play the top remaining seed amongst the first-round winners (Youngstown, Cedar Rapids or Team USA) while Muskegon earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference and will play the lower remaining seed.
The first two playoff home games with take place on Saturday, April 20 at 7:05 p.m. The second game of the series will be played on Sunday, April 21 at 5:05 p.m.