Steel win in OT. 3-2. @ChicagoSteel #WhosNext @USHL #ClarkCup #WeAreSteel pic.twitter.com/iJ3ewUuf0Z

— Puckin Hostile (@PuckinHostile) May 5, 2019

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The Steel and Muskegon Lumberjacks fought a tightly contested battle in game four of the Clark Cup Eastern Conference Final. The teams played to a 0–0 deadlock after two periods until the third-period fireworks began.

Chicago opened the scoring on a Nick Abruzzese five-on-three power play goal, off a great feed from captain and power play quarterback Matteo Pietroniro, at the 5:25 mark of the period. The one-timer from the right circle narrowly eluded Muskegon goalie Brandon Bussi, who played a solid game, despite only seeing 16 Steel shots on net.

The Lumberjacks answered with a powerplay goal of their own from 2019 NHL draft prospect Egor Afanasyev assisted by Blackhawks prospect Mikael Hakkarainen. Afanasyev, the league’s 10th-leading scorer in the regular season, had been very quiet in the series before his goal.

The teams traded goals from Fontaine and Ryan Savage in the final 10 minutes, with the Lumberjacks tying the game with just 30 seconds remaining in regulation. As a result, the fans in Geneva, Illinois, were treated to overtime playoff hockey.

Fonataine was not finished with his big night just yet, though. While not giving up any shots on net in the overtime, the Steel pressured Muskegon hard with an intense forecheck from the drop of the puck. One minute and thirteen seconds into the extra time, Fontaine intercepted an errant rebound up the middle of the Muskegon zone and pushed the puck through two defenders. He set up his shot and snapped the puck past Bussi for the game (and series) winner.

OVERTIME SERIES WINNER!
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine sends the @chicagosteel to the Clark Cup Final! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/wsTpmFnhU3

— USHL (@USHL) May 5, 2019

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While Fontaine, Robert Mastrosimone and Abruzzese grabbed the headlines on the scoresheets, goaltender Justin Robbins played his second straight stellar game in goal for the Steel. He saved 65 of 68 shots (.955 save percentage) on net in games three and four. In games one and two, Robbins stopped 64 of 71 shots (.901 save percentage).

With the win, Chicago will travel to face the Western Conference Champion Sioux Falls Stampede in the best-of-five series beginning Friday, May 10 and will return to the Fox Valley Ice Arena for Game 3 on Friday, May 17 and Game 4, if necessary, on Saturday, May 18.

Clark Cup Final tickets will go on sale Tuesday, May 7 at the Steel box office, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com. Tickets start at just $10 and fans can catch the action up close with seats on the glass available for just $20. The group ticket minimum for Clark Cup Playoff games is just 10 people, and the Budweiser Lounge and Steel Suites are available for playoff games by calling 855-51-STEEL.

The post The Steel Deal: Steel headed to Clark Cup Final after thrilling overtime win appeared first on The Rink.

Forward Robert Mastrosimone put on a show for the fans and showed why he is considered one of the top players in the top players in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft with a goal in the first two minutes of the first period and a highlight reel shorthanded goal in the second period.

On his second period goal, Mastrosimone was forechecking Muskegon center (and 2018 Blackhawks draftee) Mikael Hakkarainen closely as the Lumberjacks tried to break out of their own end. The Steel league-leading playoff scorer (tied with teammate Nick Abruzzese) picked Hakkarainen’s pocket at the Muskegon blue line and scored on a partial breakaway.

4⃣@chicagosteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/Tespc803Mj

— USHL (@USHL) May 4, 2019

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While Mastrosimone was the star on the offensive side of the rink, goalie Justin Robbins played a phenomenal game in the Steel end of the ice and was the team’s second star. He stopped 35 of 36 shots and made 18 third-period saves to keep the Steel well ahead and out of danger.

.@ChicagoSteel took a 2-1 lead in their series over Muskegon. We caught up with Steel Head Coach Greg Moore and forward Robert Mastrosimone following the Game 3 victory #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/SjSY61Iwvo

— USHL (@USHL) May 4, 2019

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The teams are back in action tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena, as the Steel look to close the series in front of their home crowd in Game 4. If a Game 5 is necessary, it will be played Monday, May 6 in Muskegon, Michigan.

Tickets for Game 4 are on sale now and may be purchased in person at the Steel Box Office, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com. Tickets start at just $10 and fans can catch the action up close with seats on the glass available for just $20. The group ticket minimum for Clark Cup Playoff games is just 10 people, and the Budweiser Lounge and Steel Suites are available for playoff games by calling 855-51-STEEL.

The post The Steel Deal: Steel one game from Clark Cup Finals, look to close out tonight appeared first on The Rink.

Nick Abruzzese earned an All-USHL First Team spot after leading the league in scoring with 80 points (29 goals, 51 assists) in only 62 games. The Harvard University commit’s 80 points was the second-highest point total in franchise history. Abruzzese broke the franchise record for assists in a season with his 51 and became just the third Steel player to reach 100 points during his career with the franchise.

Team captain Matteo Pietroniro broke the franchise’s single-season goal mark for a defenseman with his 18 goals this season in earning All-USHL Second Team honors. The Boise, Idaho, native finished tied for seventh among USHL defenseman in goals. Pietroniro now holds the Steel record for defenseman in a career with 27 goals. With 70 assists total with the Steel, he also ranks second all-time in franchise history.

Forward Robert Mastrosimone scored 31 goals this season to bring his career total to a franchise record 47 goals, earning him All-USHL Third Team honors. Mastrosimone also recorded his 100th career point this season to join Abruzzese. The Boston University commit also finished his career with 58 assists placing him seventh all-time in Chicago franchise history.

Rookie defenseman Owen Power was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team after a record season for the youngster. The 16-year-old scored 11 goals this season, although starting the season at only 15 years of age, and registered 25 points for the season. Power was fourth in the league this season among all defensemen with his 11 goals.

General Manager Ryan Hardy was named the 2018–19 USHL General Manager of the Year in his rookie season in the role after spending the previous two season scouting for the Boston Bruins.

“Our goals in Chicago are, first and foremost, to facilitate the development of talented hockey players and, secondly, to compete for the Clark Cup,” Hardy said. “Garnering personal accolades is not relevant in our program. While I am appreciative of the recognition from my peers, this honor does not reflect the work of one individual, but rather the talent, hard work and passion of the coaching staff, hockey operations department and, most importantly, every one of the players who have donned the Chicago Steel crest this season.”

Hardy joins an excellent group of rookie general managers to have won the award. Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper won the award in 2008–09 with the Green Bay Gamblers. Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery also won the award with the Dubuque Fighting Saint in 2010–11.

Hardy is quick to deflect the attention to rookie head coach Greg Moore, associate head coach Brock Sheahan, Director of Player Personnel Tristan Musser, Director of Hockey Operations Chris Hoeler, assistant coach Mike Garman, strength and conditioning coach Virgil Strzelecki, Athletic Trainer Jim Schroader and Equipment Manager Parker Hoffman.

“If there is one aspect of this season that I take the most personal pride in, it would be the identification and procurement of our coaching staff, who are more responsible for this honor than I am,” Hardy said.

The post Abruzzese, Pietroniro, Mastrosimone, Power and Hardy earn USHL end-of-season awards appeared first on The Rink.

The-Rink.com co-hosts Jeff “Gatekeeper” Osborn and John “Double J” Jaeckel are joined by The-Rink Junior / Chicago Steel writer Ray Napientek to talk about the Blackhawks and the Steel.

• We have a new review (thanks Mark from Algonquin)
• The Blackhawks are basically eliminated “officially” from the postseason
• Chad Krys and Jack Ramsey enter the organization
• More talk about what the team needs to do this summer
• What is going on with the Chicago Steel?
• Stan Bowman talk, Dylan Sikura talk
• We answer some listener and reader questions

Please subscribe, rate this episode, and even write us a review. Reviews will be read on the air.

Also, Please help spread the word to more #RinkRats and visit our sponsor www.PUCKHCKY.com. Use the discount code “THERINK” for 10% off all orders.

The Rinkcast is brought to you by the Overtime Podcast Network

The post The Blackhawks Rinkcast – Episode 49 – Steel Deal appeared first on The Rink.

The Chicago Steel defeated the Green Bay Gamblers 8–3, on Friday, after falling behind 3–1 in the second period. The seven unanswered goals the Steel scored came from seven different players. The victory also gave Steel goaltender Justin Robbins his 23^rd win, breaking the previous record.

Forward Sam Colangelo scored his first career USHL goal, at the 11:10 mark in the first period, burying a shot past Gamblers goaltender Maxsim Zhukov.

Not sure exactly what happened here, but it ended real nice
Sam Colangelo gets his 1⃣st @ChicagoSteel goal! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/02alVIwIyE

— USHL (@USHL) March 23, 2019

Green Bay answered back with three straight goals of their own, the last coming on the power play, at the 2:59 mark of the second period. Forwards Luke Mylymok, Tyler Spott and Austin Heidemann tallied for the Gamblers.

That would be it for the Gamblers, as Robbins shut the door the rest of the way. The Steel scored three goals in a span of 3:02 to take a 4–3 lead, before adding two more goals in the period, to take a 6–3 lead into the second intermission.

Chicago’s three goal outburst started when Jake Schmaltz scored his fourth goal of the season. The power play goal was assisted by Owen Power and Mathieu De St. Phalle.

Not to be outdone, forward Josiah Slavin scored his 20^th goal of the season.

Josiah Slavin hot on the backhand
Great set up from Mastrosimone and Robbins @ChicagoSteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/I50Xomrey2

— USHL (@USHL) March 23, 2019

Forward Cole Quisenberry and Christian Sarlo added two more goals, their tenth and eleventh goals this season, to close out the second period.

Jake Schmaltz found the back of the net for his second goal of the game, extending the Steel lead to 7–3, before defenseman Luke Reid finished off the scoring with his first goal this season.

Justin Robbins turned aside 20 shots for the victory.

Justin Robbins picked up his 23rd win of the season tonight, setting a new franchise record for single-season wins! #WeAreSteel pic.twitter.com/X4W7GCoNrT

— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) March 23, 2019

Chicago 6, Lincoln 1

Steel Goaltender Justin Robbins added another victory to his all-time victory total, stopping 16 of the 17 shots he faced, helping his team defeat the Lincoln Stars 6–1. Chicago received goals from six different players, holding onto the third spot on the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Forward Josiah Slavin scored his 21^st goal this season beating Stars’ goaltender Samuel Hlavaj. The goal is the Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects fourth goal in three games.

Josiah Slavin (@chicagosteel) gets on the board against his former team! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/vI56Y6MyPH

— USHL (@USHL) March 24, 2019

Chicago took a 2–0 lead with under two minutes to play in the first period, when forward Robert Mastrosimone scored his 28^th goal this season. The goal, assisted by Nick Abruzzese and Mathieu De St. Phalle, gave the Boston University commit his 100^th career point with the Chicago Steel.

Congratulations to #WeAreSteel forward Robert Mastrosimone (@rmastro9424) who became just the fifth player in franchise history to reach career regular season points with his goal today! pic.twitter.com/Vc2YlDXDdC

— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) March 24, 2019

Forward Sam Colangelo scored his second goal in as many games, giving the Steel a 3–0 lead, at the 16:14 mark of the second period. The goal was assisted by forward Christian Sarlo.

Defenseman Owen Power scored his ninth goal of the season, when burying a shot past Hlavaj, assisted by forward Jake Schamltz and defenseman Uula Ruikka.The goal gave Chicago a 4–0 lead heading into the second intermission.

Keep your out for Owen Power (@ChicagoSteel) #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/FwfkVUjn5R

— USHL (@USHL) March 24, 2019

The Steel would not be finished pouring it on the Stars. Less than two minutes in to the period, forward Nick Abruzzese extended the Steel’s lead to 5–0, before De St. Phalle finished off the scoring for the Steel.

Lincoln finally beat Robbins, at the 7:33 mark in the third period, when defenseman Samuli Niinisaari scored his seventh goal this season.

The victory left Chicago (34–19–2–0) a three point lead over the Youngstown Phantoms and Cedar Rapids Rough Riders for second place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Chicago is set for back-to-back home games on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30. On Friday, the Madison Capitols come to town for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. Fans can bring their Dogs to the game for the “Pucks and Pups” celebration. On Saturday, the Waterloo Black Hawks come to Fox Valley Ice Arena for a 7:05 p.m. start. The first 500 fans receive an Animal House “COLLEGE” t-shirt, presented by Waubonsee Community College.

The post The Steel Deal: Robbins, Mastrosimone Break Records, Help Lead Steel To Victories appeared first on The Rink.

Robert Mastrosimone (@ChicagoSteel) right off the draw! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/wiFcYTxViL

— USHL (@USHL) January 9, 2019

Robert Mastrosimone (@ChicagoSteel) x2! #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/2wZomkzZOp

— USHL (@USHL) January 9, 2019

Hear from Team East MVP Robert Mastrosimone (@ChicagoSteel) following his two-goal performance at the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/mYPhhZevZo

— USHL (@USHL) January 9, 2019

Mastrosimone and his Chicago Steel (17–12–1–0) teammates will be back on the ice this weekend for back-to-back home games starting on Friday against the Youngstown Phantoms (14–12–0–3). Then on Saturday, the Green Bay Gamblers (11–15–3–1) roll into Fox Valley Ice Arena, both games start at 7:05 p.m.

Checkout the Chicago Steel weekend preview HERE

The post Mastrosimone Team East MVP at USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game appeared first on The Rink.

Steel forward Robert Mastrosimone will participate on Team East for the event, which starts January 7 before the game the following day. The Boston University commit currently leads the Steel in goals (11) while maintaining a point-per-game pace through seventeen games.

Click 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Roster for all USHL players participating in the event.

The Steel return to the ice December 28 against the Central Illinois Flying Aces in Bloomington. The next home game is the following night, December 29, as Team USA U-17 will be at Fox Valley Ice Arena for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. The first 500 fans will receive a Jurassic Rusty Bobblehead Doll. Fans will also have the opportunity to “Skate with the Steel” after the game.

#WeAreSteel Head Coach @MooreHkyIQ named an Assistant Coach for Team East at the @USHL/@NHL Top Prospects Game in January.
RELEASE: https://t.co/nLqZKU0gdm pic.twitter.com/xHMuEjH4Yr

— Chicago Steel (@ChicagoSteel) December 20, 2018

The post The Steel Deal: Moore and Mastrosimone to USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game appeared first on The Rink.