NEWS STORY
Pushing Towards The Playoffs
Bensenville, IL (March 14th, 2010) -
Chicago
was home over the weekend for a rare three game home
stand beginning with two against the Western Division’s
Tri-City Storm before concluding against the Indiana Ice
whom the Steel currently trail in the race for a playoff
spot.
On Friday the Steel looked to pick up where they
had recently left off against the Storm, sweeping
Tri-City in Kearney, NE two weeks ago. The Storm can out
quickly, however, putting two scores on the board in the
first eight minutes.
Despite outshooting the Storm 14-11 in the first
period, Chicago couldn’t find the back of the net until
the latter part of the second period when Chicago’s
leading scorer Andrei Kuchin hooked up with Darik Angeli
for his second goal since coming over from Sioux City
and his eleventh overall.
The 2-1 deficit was as close as Chicago would get
that night because Tri-City would add two more goals in
the final frame, including, an unassisted empty netter
by Storm Forward Matt Johnson with 50 seconds remaining
after the Steel pulled Goalie Connor Wilson in an
attempt to spark the offense. On the night Wilson was
20/23-the 4-1 loss was his seventh of the season.
Saturday’s game was a reversal from the previous
night with Chicago grabbing two quick goals from Danny
Mattson (North Dakota) and Jay Camper (New Hampshire).
Mattson’s goal was his third in eleven games with the
Steel after coming over in trade from Omaha. Mattson is
just one of several recent acquisitions that have showed
dividends as of late. Camper’s goal was his eighth to go
along with eight assists-both career highs.
Tri-City’s Jaden Scwartz made it 2-1 in the 2nd
period with a shorthanded penalty shot. Steel defensemen
Dan Kolomatis added his seventh goal to the fray, giving
the Steel a 3-1 advantage. He didn’t know it then, but,
Kolomatis’ goal proved to be the game winner. The Storm
would force another goal in the period but Steel Forward
Cole Gunner (Air force Academy) would add insurance in
the 3rd with his seventh goal on the season.
The 4-2 win gives Chicago a three games to one
advantage over the Storm to close out the ’09-’10
campaign.
Sunday’s matinee featured a familiar foe in the
Indiana Ice. Darik Angeli put Chicago on the board with
under two minutes to play in the first period-that would
be all either team could manage after one period of
play.
Both teams made up for lost time offensively in the
second period with a combined six goals between them.
The Steel received contributions from Alex Carpenter (12th),
recent Wisconsin committee Brendan Woods (3rd),
and Jay Camper’s second goal in three games which makes
8 on the season for Camper. After two periods the Steel
led 4-3 heading into the final period of regulation.
Indiana’s Taylor Boldt drew the Ice even at 4’s before
Woods put in his second goal of the game as the Steel
came out on top of the high scoring affair. Steel Goalie
Nick Pisellini (Western Michigan) got the start with
Wilson receiving the bulk of the playing time lately.
Pisellini recorded his tenth win on the season while
stopping 29/33.
The Steel host the 18 year olds of Team USA and
Green Bay this coming 19th and 20th
of March. Both games have a 7:30 start time and tickets
can be purchased by calling the Steel box office at
(630) 594-1165. |
