Jets Edge Steel
(Chippewa Falls, WI)- Eventful night for the Chippewa Steel as they began a new chapter in their season playing their first game under new management of the Kasik family and new coach Mike Janda behind the bench. Tonight was also the 3rd annual CCF Bank Teddy Bear Toss.
The first period was evenly matched, but Janesville would come out ahead by two on goals from Jets top scorers Destefani and Schoen. Steel came close to tossing the stuffed bears a couple times in the first but would make the fans wait a bit longer.
No goals were scored in the second as both teams tightened up defensively neither team allowing many good scoring chances. Steel killed off a few penalties and challenged goaltender Riley Sims, but both goaltenders stood tall keeping the puck out of their respective nets for the full twenty minutes.
The Steel would answer early and get their Teddy Bear Toss goal 23 seconds into the third period when Liam Hansson stuffed a puck under Jets goaltender. Jets would score midway through the period to bring their lead back to two and would add an empty net goal to finish the game with a score of 4-1.
The Steel return to the Chippewa Area Ice Arena Thursday May 6th against the Janesville Jets. Limited tickets are available at chippewasteelhockey.com.
The Chippewa Steel are members of the NAHL which is the oldest and largest junior hockey league of its kind in the United States and one of only two USA Hockey-certified leagues that operate under the non-pay-to-play model. The NAHL is also one of the best at advancing players to NCAA and professional hockey. Notable Alumni of the NAHL include Ryan Suter (MIN), Patrick Kane (CHI) and Phil Kessel (ARI) All league games are viewable via HockeyTV. For more information, visit chippewasteelhockey.com.