Opening Night and Turtle Races this Saturday
September 28, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS – The Chicago Steel (2-0-0-0; 4 pts.) open the 2022-2023 home slate on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Fox Valley Ice Arena against the Green Bay Gamblers (1-1-0-0; 2 pts.) at 7:05 pm with a Chicago tradition, Turtle Races courtesy of St. Charles Park District, during second intermission. After the game, fans can take the ice for a Post-Game Skate with the Steel.
In what has become a fan-favorite promotion, turtles from Hickory Knolls Discovery Center in St. Charles will take Steel fans by storm with a race during second intermission. Reigning champion Samsonite returns to defend his crown as he is challenged by turtle race veterans Myrtle, Daisy and Sally Jane.
Human fans will get the chance to meet the shelled contestants in the lobby before the game and spectators will even get to compete for prizes during Turtle Trivia.
After the game, fans can take the ice to Skate with the Steel, the first time the fans can skate with the team since December 2019. Fans are welcome to bring their own skates or they will be available for rent for $4.
The Steel started the season with back-to-back victories at the DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic, Chicago defeated the Fargo Force on Thursday, Sep. 22 with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory before taking down the defending Clark Cup Champions, the Sioux City Musketeers, with a 7-4 win on Friday, Sep. 23 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.
Steel forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Moldenhauer jumped to the top of the team scoring leaders with four points (3G, 1A) over those two games. The Mississauga, Ontario, native tallied 43 points (18G, 25A) in 41 games last season before being selected to the USHL All-Rookie Second Team.
The Chicago goaltending duo of Christian Manz and Jack Stark combined to make 73 saves in the pair of victories. Manz, an Augustana University commit, allowed one goal against while making 31 stops against Fargo as Stark turned away 42 shots against Sioux City.
Before the Steel home opener, Chicago travels to Michigan for an Eastern Conference matchup against the Muskegon Lumberjacks (1-1-0-0; 2 pts.) at Trinity Health Arena on Friday, Sep. 30 at 6:10 pm CT.
Muskegon split a pair of high-scoring affairs at the Fall Classic, a 7-4 win over the Sioux Falls Stampede on Sep. 22 and a 6-4 loss against the Tri-City Storm on Sep. 23.
Lumberjacks defenseman George Fegaras is one of two defenseman in the USHL to tally a four-point weekend with four helpers over the season-opening games. Fegaras was selected in the third round (#83 Overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars after totaling 48 points (13G, 35A) in 52 games for the North York Rangers of the OJHL.
Last season, Muskegon advanced to the Eastern Conference Final but was defeated by the Madison Capitols. Chicago and Muskegon have faced off in the Clark Cup Playoffs in three of the last four postseasons.
The Green Bay Gamblers split their season-opening games with a 4-2 victory over Sioux City and a 6-0 loss against the Lincoln Stars. Green Bay is led by first-year head coach and general manager Mike Leone. Before being hired by the Gamblers, the Dearborn, Mich., native spent time with the USA National Team Development Program and Bowling Green State University.
Defenseman Jacob Martin joins the Gamblers blueline for the 2022-2023 campaign after two seasons with the NTDP and the 2021-2022 campaign with the University of Wisconsin. Originally from White Bear Lake, Minn., the 6-foot, 186-pound skater has totaled 12 points (4G, 8A) in 51 games of USHL experience including a goal in the Gamblers’ 4-2 win over the Sioux City Musketeers on Sep. 22.
Chicago Steel games can be streamed on FloHockey (subscription required) with free audio available on Mixlr.
Tickets start at just $10 and are available 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 30 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 pm CT)
Saturday, October 1 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Turtle Races Courtesy of St. Charles Park District | Post-Game Skate with the Steel
Friday, October 7 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) GIVEAWAY – 2022-2023 Magnet Schedule (First 500 Fans)
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