Bensenville, IL (February 18th, 2008) -- Splitting the weekend series with the Sioux City Musketeers allowed the Chicago Steel to take over third place in the Eastern Division.  The Steel moved ahead of the Waterloo Blackhawks by 1 point and are now chasing the second place Cedar Rapids RoughRiders by 4 points. 

Friday nights game was a see-saw battle between the two teams as Sioux City jumped on the board first but Chicago’s Aaron Schmit evened the score at 1 heading into the first intermission.  Corey Chakeen would open the second period up by scoring only 48 seconds in, giving the Steel the 2-1 lead.  The lead would not last as long as they hoped though, as Sioux City got the tying goal only 7 minutes later. 

The third period would be a high scoring affair for the Steel as they were able to net 3 goals in only 68 seconds.  Max Nicastro (Boston University) got the scoring started, followed with goals by Jak Knelman and Corey Chakeen.  The 5-2 lead that the Steel now had would prove to be enough as Sioux City was able to get only one more by Steel goaltender Rob Madore (University of Vermont).  Madore picked up his 13^th win on the season as he stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced. 

Saturday night, the 1874 fans in attendance would get a great game as the first period went scoreless, but it was not short of high energy action packed hockey.  Sioux City was able to jump on the board first, but the Steel would follow suit with a goal from Dominic Morrone.  Sioux City was able to score 2 more times before the 2^nd period would come to a close, sending Chicago into the locker room 3-1. 

The Steel came out looking to avenge the 2 goal lead that Sioux City put up in the second period, and Eric Alexander proved that the Steel don’t back down when they are behind on the scoreboard.  Alexander scored twice in the third, both goals coming 1:16 apart.  Alexander’s goals, tied the game at 3 and was enough to send the game to overtime.  In overtime the Musketeers were able to sneak one by Steel goaltender Rob Madore, giving them the 4-3 Overtime victory. 

The Chicago Steel would like to thank all of the fans that came out this weekend to support and raise money for the American Cancer society and the ATI foundation. 

The Steel are back in action Friday and Saturday night when they take on the Tri-City Storm.  The puck will drop at 7:30 on both nights at the Edge Ice Arena, and Saturday night you can come out and meet some Chicago Blackhawk Alumni.

The Blackhawks Alumni will include:

Steve Poapst - Blackhawks Defensemen 2000-2004
Current Head Coach of the Chicago Steel

Jack O'Callahan – Blackhawks Defenseman 1982-1987

Member of the U.S. "Miracle" Olympic team in 1980. 

Grant Mulvey – Blackhawks Forward 1974-1983

Father of Chicago Steel strength and conditioning coach, Kyle Mulvey.

Steve Smith – Blackhawks Defenseman 1991-1997

Father of Chicago Steel Defenseman, Barron Smith

Reg Kerr – Blackhawks Defenseman 1977-1982

Dave Mackey – Blackhawks Forward 1987-1989

Peter Marsh – Blackhawks Forward 1980-1984

Tickets are available for both nights, and you can get yours by calling the Steel box office at (630) 594-1165.  Warm-ups begin at 7:00 and the puck will drop at 7:35 both nights.