Chicago 8, Fargo 2
The Chicago Steel opened the weekend dominating the Fargo Force 8–2 at Fox Valley Arena. Newly acquired Chicago Blackhawks’ forward prospect Josiah Slavin scored his first goal as part of the Chicago Steel. The eight goals scored by Chicago was a season high.
Fargo scored first as forward Zach Faremouth gave the visitors the lead halfway through the opening frame. However, the lead would not last long, as Chicago would rip off the next six goals of the contest.
Opening the scoring for the Steel was forward Cole Quisenberry. The Brown University commit buried a wrist shot past Fargo goaltender Matthew Sankner. The goal, assisted by forward Matthew Sutton and defenseman John Spetz, was Quisenberry’s seventh goal of the season.
Less than a minute later, forward Robert Mastrosimone scored his fifteenth goal of the season, burying the puck past Sankner from a nice feed from center Adam Robbins. Forward Mathieu De St. Phalle would also assist on the play.
Never leave a 🦆 alone in the slot… @ChicagoSteel lead #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/PfQpjHZ7tv
— USHL (@USHL) January 27, 2019
Chicago would take a 3–1 lead into the first intermission after Slavin scored his eleventh goal of the season, first in a Steel sweater. Forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine slid a nice pass over to Slavin for the goal. Defenseman Luke Reid also assisted on the goal.
Normally we don't approve of diving… but in this case, we'll allow it 🙌👀 @ChicagoSteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/TqBSb3e2Vt
— USHL (@USHL) January 27, 2019
Chicago was outshot in the first period 9 – 6, but buried half of their chances.
The second period would be much of the same, as the Steel poured in four goals on sixteen shots, taking a 7–2 lead into the second intermission.
Mastrosimone scored his second goal of the game to start the period. The goal, assisted by forward Nick Abruzesse and De St. Phalle came within the first minute of the period.
The Boston University commits goal brought a change in net for the Fargo Force. Sankner was pulled for Ryan Bischel.
The onslaught of goals continued when defenseman Matteo Pietroniro scored his USHL defensemen leading thirteenth goal of the season. The power play goal was assisted by Slavin and Abruzesse.
At the 10:00 mark of the period, forward Adam Gajarsky scored his first career USHL goal. The Kromeriz, CZE native fired a shot past the glove of Bischel. The goal gave Gajarsky three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in his last four games. Quisenberry assisted on the play.
Fargo would pull Bischel for Sankner, keeping the goalie carousel in motion.
With the score 6–1, Fargo got back on the scoresheet with a goal from forward Ben Meyers, giving him 25 goals on the season.
The Steel entered the third period with the 6–2 lead but would not be satisfied. Defenseman Owen Power scored his fourth goal of the season, at the 15:26 mark of the period. Assists on the goal were credited to forward Christian Sarlo and Jake Schmaltz.
Western Michigan commit Travis Treloar would finish off the scoring when he beat Sankner to give the Steel the 8–2 victory. The goal, assisted by Spetz, gave Treloar 11 goals on the season.
Steel goaltender Justin Robbins stopped 23 of the 25 shots faced in the game, improving his record to 16–8–1–0. The victory also gave Chicago their eleventh straight win at home.
Post-Game interview: Head Coach Greg Moore: CLICK HERE
Post-Game Interview: Josiah Slavin: CLICK HERE
Chicago 4, Fargo 2
The Steel would be right back in action the following day for a matinee game with the Fargo Force. With the 4–2 victory, Chicago would extend their overall win streak to seven games, while extending their home win streak to twelve games.
Chicago found the scoreboard first when Nick Abruzesse scored shorthanded. The Harvard University commit buried a nice pass from forward Robert Mastrosimone, after pulling Fargo goaltender Ryan Bischel out of his crease.
The 🦆🦆🦆 makes it happen.
The 🦈🦈🦈 finishes it off.
(@ChicagoSteel) #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/D9cpnqdH9i
— USHL (@USHL) January 27, 2019
The lead would not last long as the Force scored on the same penalty to tie the game at 1–1. Fargo would also take the lead late in the period, giving them the lead 2–1 with just over three minutes left in the first period.
Forward Travis Treloar tied the game, at the 18:42 mark of the first period, firing a shot past Bischel, for his fourteenth goal of the season. The goal, assisted by defensemen Luke Reid and Matteo Pietroniro, would lead the Steel into the intermission with the momentum.
Chicago scored the lone goal of the second period when Pietroniro beat Bishel. Forward Jake Schmaltz found Pietroniro, who fired a shot for his fourteenth goal of the season.
Matteo Pietroniro buries a great feed from Jake Schmaltz.
The @ChicagoSteel are back up by a goal. #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/6HuThmj1lD
— USHL (@USHL) January 27, 2019
The tightly contested game would remain 3–2 until Chicago found the back of the net, at the 19:45 mark of the third period. Abruzesse scored his second of the game when forward Mathieu De St. Phalle found Abruzesse with a nice feed.
Chicago (24–12–1–0) was led again by Justin Robbins in net stopping 16 of the 18 shots faced.
Post-game Interview: Head Coach Greg Moore: CLICK HERE
On Friday, the Steel travel to Michigan to take on Team USA at 6:00 p.m. The Steel are back in action, at home, this Saturday, February 2, for Chicago Blackhawks Night when the Steel face off with the Youngstown Phantoms, at 7:05 p.m. Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bollig and mascot Tommy Hawk with make special guest appearances.
