NEWS STORY
Steel Vs Ice
- Series Even At 1
Bensenville, IL (April 14th, 2008)
-- The first round playoff series between the Chicago
Steel and the Indiana Ice is even at 1 game apiece. The
two teams first squared off on Thursday night in
Indianapolis, where the Steel took game one 4-3.
The first period was a back and forth battle between the
two teams, but defenseman Tim Buttery (Michigan State)
netted his first USHL playoff goal and his seventh of
the year, giving the Steel their first lead of the
game. Andrew Miller (Yale) and Luca Cunti had the
assists on the Buttery goal. The lead did not last long
though, as the Ice tied the game only 11 seconds later.
The second period looked a lot like the first, but
Indiana was first to get on the board. The Steel were
able even the game back up at 2 goals a piece only 2
minutes later when Luca Cunti scored his first USHL
playoff goal, and his 12th of the season,
from a pass from Andrew Miller and Aaron Schmit (Ferris
State).
The third period would start just like the previous
period with Indiana scoring first, but Chicago would
answer back only 53 seconds later with a goal from Aaron
Schmit. Andrew Miller picked up his 3rd
assist of the game and Luca Cunti picked up his second
point on the night assisting on the Schmit goal. The
two teams would battle against each other for the next
14 minutes before Eric Alexander (Ferris State) poked
the puck free and gave himself a breakaway, scoring what
proved to be the game winner. John Moore (Colorado
College) and JAK Knelman were credited with the assists
on the game winner.
Rob Madore (Vermont) was in net for the Steel and he
saved 35 of the 38 shots that he faced, earning the win
for Chicago.
Two nights later, the Steel and the Ice would face
off for game 2 of the 5 round series, and Chicago was
looking to start where they left off the last game.
Andrew Miller did just that, scoring first and giving
Chicago the 1-0 advantage, but it would not hold up as
Indiana was able to even the score at one. Brian
O’Neill (Yale) was able to give Chicago the lead back
scoring on the powerplay giving the Steel the 2-1 lead
to go into the first intermission. Mark Anthoine
(Maine) had the assist on Millers goal, and Drew LeBlanc
(St. Cloud State) had the assist on the O’Neill goal.
Chicago’s 2-1 lead was not enough, as the Ice were
able to score 6 unanswered goals over the next two
periods, giving them the 7-2 victory evening the series
at one game apiece.
The two teams will face off tomorrow, Tuesday April
15, and on Friday, April 18th. Tickets are
still available for both games and can be purchased by
calling the Steel Box Office at 630.594.1165.
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