Steel Win 8-2 Over Kenai River Brown Bears

(Chippewa Falls, WI)- The Chippewa Steel began the weekend series versus the Kenai River Brown Bears with an 8-2 victory.

Chippewa started fast on Friday evening, scoring just ten seconds into the game. The goal was scored by newcomer Chase Hamstad and was assisted by Grisha Gotovets. Four minutes later Branden Lindstrom found the back of the net for his third goal on the season. The rout was on in the first period as Jacob Dirks added another goal, giving Chippewa a 3-0 advantage going into the first intermission.

Kenai River scored a pair of powerplay goals in the second period but the Steel responded with 2 goals of their own. Alex Schwab and Ian Famulak both added their first goals on the season, which both were assisted by Connor Szmul. Szmul recorded five assists on the game and was a catalyst for Chippewa all night.

The Steel capped the third period by scoring three more goals. Jacob Dirks recorded his team-leading seventh goal halfway through the final frame.  Braiden Dorfman and Alex Schwab added third-period goals to make an 8-2 final score from Chippewa Area Ice Arena.

In net for Chippewa was Grant Boldt, who stopped 27 of 29 shots.

The Steel will finish their weekend series with Kenai River on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. Saturday is Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by Prevea Health. Fans can bid on the game-worn pink jerseys to help fund the future HSHS St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart Hospitals and Prevea mobile mammography unit, which will help provide early detection access to surrounding rural communities. Individual Adult Tickets are just $10, Ages 5-18 $6 and under 4 is free. Tickets are available online at chippewasteelhockey.com, over the phone at 715.861.2131 or in person at Chippewa Area Ice Arena after 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

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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.