Steel Open Up Season With Victory
(October 1st, 2011) -  Chicago Steel head coach Scott McConnell got his team off to a thrilling start in their first game of the 2011-12 United States Hockey League season. Zach Saar scored two goals in regulation, and Phillip Marinaccio and Theo DiPauli converted in a shootout to lead the Steel to a 3-2 victory over Team USA U-17 Saturday evening at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

Chicago opened up the scoring, one minute and eight seconds into the first period, when Saar notched his first goal of the game. Team USA goalie Curtis Frye was called for tripping at the :28 mark, allowing the Steel to go on the powerplay, where Saar capitalized. Jeff Kubiak recorded the assist on the score.

Saar gave the Steel a 2-0 lead, just over three minutes into the second period, scoring once again on the powerplay. Michael Fallon provided the assist on Saar’s second goal.

Team USA added two goals in the final five minutes of the second to tie the game, after J.T. Compher and Trevor Hamilton found the back of the net.

Neither team scored in the third period or in overtime, leading to the shootout, where Marinaccio, DiPauli and Dahlstrom sealed the win for Chicago.

The Steel outshot Team USA 43-34 in the game, with a 15-7 advantage in the first period. Mathias Dahlstrom turned away 32 shots in between the pipes for the Steel, while Team USA’s Frye made 40 saves.

Chicago is back in action next Friday, Oct. 7 when it hosts the Youngstown Phantoms. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the Steel’s home opener against the Phantoms can be purchased by calling the Chicago Steel Ticket Office at 630-594-1161.