Steel Unable To Break Streak
Story By: Steve Jankowski
Bensenville (March 13th, 2009) -- The Chicago Steel fell behind early to the Omaha Lancers, and were unable to overcome a 3-0 1st period deficit as they lost their fourth straight game, by a 6-3 score at the Edge Ice Arena on Friday night.

Omaha got on the board three minutes in on a goal from Matt White.  The Lancers also got goals from Louis Leblanc and Dakota Eveland in the first, with Eveland's marker coming half a minute after Chicago's Greg Wolfe hit the crossbar, nearly bringing the Steel within one at 2-1.  Eveland's goal with 61 seconds left made it a two-goal swing in Omaha's favor. 

Early in the second, Chicago was able to find the back of the net while on a two-man advantage.  Greg Wolfe beat Lancer netminder Jeff Teglia 20 seconds into the middle frame, with John Moore (Colorado College) and Andrew Miller (Yale University) adding helpers.  Miller's assist made him the first player in the USHL to crack the 70 point barrier.

The momentum quickly shifted back into Omaha's favor 39 seconds after Wolfe's goal when Jake Hauswirth scored the Lancer's second short-handed goal of the game, giving Omaha a 4-1 advantage.

Four minutes later, Chicago got back within two when Jak Knelman's shot just barely slipped over the goal line as he and two other Steel forwards crashed the net. 

The Steel kept the pressure up after Knelman's goal, and two and a half minutes later, Josh Balch (Yale University) had the puck behind Omaha's net and he fed it to Miller in the right-wing circle.  Miller danced around a defender and snapped a wrist shot from the slot through Teglia for his league-leading 28th goal of the year.

Danny Kristo put a damper on Chicago's comeback efforts with 2:25 left in the second, giving the Lancers a 5-3 lead heading to the final frame.

Omaha scored the 3rd period's only goal, sealing the 6-3 win.

The Steel will get back into action Saturday night when the Lincoln Stars invade the Edge Ice Arena.  Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m., and tickets for all Steel home games can be ordered by calling the Steel Ticket Office at 630.594.1165.