The Chicago Steel played a home-and-home with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, with each home team taking the victory. On Friday, Dubuque bested the Steel, 5–3, while the Steel returned the favor on Saturday, 5–3.
In Dubuque, Chicago jumped out to a 2–0 lead when captain Matteo Pietroniro and forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine scored four minutes apart, late in the first period. Pietroniro’s goal, assisted by forward Nick Abruzzese and Robert Mastrosimone, was his 15th goal of the season. Fontaine’s 18th goal of the season was assisted by forward Neil Shea.
Matteo Pietroniro goes BAR 👇 @ChicagoSteel#WhosNext pic.twitter.com/tHmFFRBJdG
— USHL (@USHL) March 2, 2019
Chicago took a 2–0 lead into the first intermission, however, the Fighting Saints answered back with four unanswered goals and led 4–2 with 15 minutes left to play in the third period.
Mastrosimone finally got the Steel back on the scoreboard, at the 14:52 mark of the third period, to draw the Steel within one goal. The goal, Mastrosimone’s 22nd of the season, was assisted by Abruzzese and defenseman John Spetz.
Chicago pulled goaltender Justin Robbins late in the game in an attempt to tie the game, but Dubuque finished off the Steel with an empty net goal.
The Steel would waste no time getting revenge on the Fighting Saints on Saturday. However, the game did not start as the Steel drew it up.
Dubuque scored two goals within the first four minutes of the first period to take a 2–0 lead. At the 8:07 mark of the first period, Mastrosimone scored his 23rd goal of the season, cutting the Dubuque lead to 2–1.
Dubuque answered back to take a 3–1 lead with five minutes left to play in the first period, before Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Josiah Slavin scored his 16th goal of the season, cutting the Dubuque lead to 3–2 before the first intermission.
Shea tied the score, at the 2:51 mark of the second period, which would be the only goal of the second period, after the wild first frame. The goal, assisted by Mastrosimone and Pietroniro, gave Shea thirteen goals on the season.
Neil Shea with the hot (back) hands! 🔥👋@ChicagoSteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/1E9tLmFgb8
— USHL (@USHL) March 3, 2019
Slavin scored his second of the game, and 17th of the season, at the 3:32 mark of the third period, to give the Steel a 4–3 lead.
Try following this puck without getting dizzy, we dare you. 👀🌪@ChicagoSteel #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/h24AjbZlMo
— USHL (@USHL) March 3, 2019
The Steel would finish off the scoring with an empty net goal by forward Josh Groll, his eight of the season, to give Chicago the 5–3 victory and a split on the weekend.
Chicago plays this weekend, March 8 and 9, against the Sioux Falls Stampede and Team USA U17. Friday’s game with the Stampede, features LEGOLAND night for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. Saturday’s game with Team USA U17 features Pajama Day for another 7:05 p.m. face off.
Dubuque 5, Chicago 3
Chicago 5, Dubuque 3
