Miller's Late Goal Lifts Steel Over Tri-City

Bensenville (October 24, 2008) -The Chicago Steel improved to 2-and-0 in pink jerseys after beating the Tri-City Storm 4-2 Friday night at the Edge in Bensenville.

The Steel wore pink jerseys for the second year in a row to help raise awareness for cancer.

After a scoreless opening period, Chicago got on the board with a two man advantage goal from defenseman Max Nicastro (Boston University, Detroit Red Wings). He took a pass from Andrew Miller (Yale University) and fired a wrist shot past Tri-City goalie Nick Maricic for his second goal of the year.

Maricic stopped 32 shots in the loss.

The Steel were on another power play late in the second period when Nicastro sent Eric Alexander (Ferris State University) in all alone on Maricic. Alexander faked, then lifted a backhanded shot past Maricic for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.

The Storm got out of the gate early in the third, getting a goal off of a Steel turnover from Radoslav Illo. He picked up a loose puck in the slot and fired a wrist shot past Steel goalie Hudson Stremmel just 1:12 into the final frame.

Stremmel stopped 28 shots in earning his second victory of the season.

Just over four minutes later, Tri-City tied the game at two, when Josh Berge slid the puck past Stremmel and into the net.

The game remained tight through most of the rest of the third period, but Andrew Miller skated down left wing, cut to the slot, and fired a wrist shot back against the grain past Maricic's blocker with just 1:34 left in regulation.

"Great job by Miller to cut back and find some space," said Head Coach Steve Poapst.

Alexander sealed the win with 8.9 seconds left with an empty-net goal.

These same two teams meet again Saturday night at the Edge in Bensenville. Puck drop is 7:30, and tickets can be ordered by calling 630.594.1165.