Final Preseason Contests on Home Ice this Weekend

September 14, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Chicago Steel News Release

GENEVA, ILLINOIS – The Chicago Steel conclude the preseason slate with two games on home ice at Fox Valley Ice Arena against the Youngstown Phantoms this Friday and Saturday with both games at 7:05 pm CT.

Last weekend, Chicago prevailed 4-3 over the Muskegon Lumberjacks in Michigan Friday night before a 3-2 victory on home ice at Fox Valley Ice Arena. With all 42 teams from the Steel Icebreaker, an elite AAA tournament in attendance, the crowd for Chicago’s first preseason game totaled over 1,600, the highest recorded attendance of any USHL preseason game through the exhibition slate thus far.

Steel forwards Chris Delaney and Cameron Johnson netted goals in both Friday and Saturday’s contests as Delaney added a helper to jump to the top of the Chicago points list to begin the preseason with three points (2G, 1A) through two games.

On the back end for Chicago, first-year netminder Miles Roberts turned away 18 shots in the road win over the Lumberjacks, his exhibition debut for the Steel.

Returning netminder Christian Manz made 26 saves in the victory the following night, allowing just two goals against. A season ago, the Augustana University commit allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 18 starts between the Steel pipes.

Coming into the weekend games with the Steel, the Youngstown Phantoms have played one preseason contest, a 2-1 loss against Muskegon at Trinity Health Arena on Sep. 12.

The Phantoms jumped in front on a power play goal from James Fisher, a Northeastern University commit in his first season with Youngstown, early in the middle frame before the Lumberjacks evened the score just over a minute later. Muskegon struck with an even-strength goal from Ethan Whitcomb, his second of the game, late in the third to seal the exhibition win.

Phantoms netminder Jacob Fowler made 15 saves as Youngstown held the Lumberjacks to just 17 shots on net in the loss. Last season, the Clarkson University-bound netminder was named to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team.

A season ago, Youngstown made its first appearance in the Clark Cup Playoffs since the 2018-2019 postseason. After a 29-23-6-4 (68 pts.) record, the Phantoms claimed the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference but were eliminated by the Madison Capitols, the eventual Eastern Conference Champions.

Forward William Whitelaw begins his first full season with the Phantoms after being selected first overall by Youngstown in Phase I of the 2021 USHL Draft. The Rosemount, Minn., native appeared in nine games for the Phantoms a season ago and played in 55 games for Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U team where he totaled 110 points (46G, 64A). Whitelaw trailed only 2022-2023 Steel rookie Macklin Celebrini in points for Shattuck St. Mary’s during the 2021-2022 campaign.

Following the matchups against Youngstown, the Steel begin the 2022-2023 season on Thursday, September 22 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic in Cranberry Township, PA. with a 4:30 pm CT faceoff against the Fargo Force and a 1:30 pm CT showdown with the defending Clark Cup champions, the Sioux City Musketeers.

Chicago Steel games can be streamed on FloHockey (subscription required) with free audio available on Mixlr.

Single game tickets are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL, purchasing at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or visiting the Steel box office at Fox Valley Ice Arena during business hours.

New for the 2022-2023 season, all Chicago Steel tickets will be digital and available on mobile devices. Fans should create their profile online. For more information on digital tickets for the Chicago Steel, click here. Fans attending this weekend’s games and all Steel home games this season are encouraged to purchase tickets prior to arriving at the arena to avoid any delays on game night.

Season ticket plans starting at 5 games for just $50 and group tickets and experiences are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL or emailing [email protected].

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Friday, September 16 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (PRESEASON) (7:05 pm CT)

Saturday, September 17 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (PRESEASON) (7:05 pm CT)

Thursday, September 22 vs. Fargo Force (DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic) 4:30 pm CT

Friday, September 23 vs. Sioux City Musketeers (DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic) 1:30 pm CT

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