Friday night, The Steel headed into Green Bay looking to get on the scoreboard first, and they did just that, scoring the first 4 goals of the game.  Corey Chakeen had the first Steel goal, followed by a five goal Steel second period, with goals coming from Drew LeBlanc (St. Cloud State), Aaron Schmit, Steel newcomer Jak Knelman, Eric Alexander, and Brian O’Neill (Yale). 

Rob Madore (Vermont) was in net for the Steel, stopping 23 of the 26 shots he faced.  Madore picked up his 6^th win of the season Friday night. 

The following players had assists on the Steel goals;  Drew LeBlanc, Corey Chakeen, Mark Anthoine (Maine), Andrew Miller (Yale), Simon Olsson, Luca Cunti (St. Cloud State), Tim Buttery (Michigan State) and Brian Dowd (Niagara University).

Saturday night, Chicago jumped out to an early lead, only 4:33 into the game Steel Blueliner Mike Walsh got the Steel on the board with a powerplay goal; Tim Buttery had the assist on the goal.  The Steel went into the first intermission trailing 2-1, but they knew they would have to come out and get the next goal to remain in the game.  Andrew Miller was able to even the score at 2 after finding the net from a Mike Walsh pass.  Will Weber ( Miami – Ohio) put the Steel back in the lead with a powerplay goal, with the assist coming from Tim Buttery.  Green Bay forwards Anthony Hayes, and C.J. Lee put the Gamblers back on top 4-3, but Steel Forward Luca Cunti scored late in the third allowing the Steel to go into the 3^rd period at 4-4 tie.  The two teams battled for 15 minutes before Andy Miele scored an unassisted shorthanded goal.  Miele’s goal, his 27^th of the season, was the game winner but Eric Alexander was able to light the lamp for a 6-4 win over the Gamblers.  Luca Cunti and Tim Buttery were credited with the assists on Alexander’s goal. 

Steel goaltender Nick Pisellini stopped 30 of the 34 shots he saw, giving him his 5^th win of the season. 

Monday, December 31st, The Steel played a matinee game against the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets, looking to extend their winning streak to 3.  Ohio, was able to score on the powerplay, but Steel defencemen Will Weber, playing in his future home of Nationwide Arena, as he is a 2nd round draft pick of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets, scored only 2 minutes later tying the game at 1. 

In the second, forward Ryan Schnell scored on a pass from Drew LeBlanc, and seven minutes later Max Nicastro scored the game-winning goal while on the powerplay; Brian Dowd and Andy Miele had the assist on the Nicastro goal. 

Ohio did not give up as they were able to score another powerplay goal, but Brian O’Neill put the game away with a shorthanded empty netter making the score 4-2; LeBlanc and Mike Walsh had the assists on the O’Neill goal.  

Rob Madore got the win in net for The Steel, stopping 33 of the 35 shots he faced  This win gave Madore his 7^th of the season. 

Notes:  Steel Forward James Knelman, nicknamed Jak, has rejoined the Steel.  Jak started the season with Colgate College, after playing in only 2 games, Knelman is back with the Steel.  A late pickup in the 06-07 season, Knelman played in 15 games with a 0-1-1 line.  

The Steel return back to The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, for a home weekend series against the Des Moines Buccaneers.  Puck drop is 7:35 for both the Friday January 4th, and Saturday January 5th games.  To purchase your tickets ahead of time, please call (630) 594-1165 or stop by the ticket office at the Edge Ice Arena

Chicago Steel -  New Look/New Attitude