Steel Win Series Opener 4-2 Over Springfield Jr. Blues
(Chippewa Falls, WI)- The Chippewa Steel began the weekend series versus the Springfield Jr. Blues with a 4-2 win. With a victory on Friday night, the Steel now extends their season winning streak to five games.
Springfield jumped on Chippewa in the first period with a goal scored by Aaron Shaw just 36 seconds into the contest but the Steel responded with a power play goal scored by Braden Lindstrom, assisted by Spencer Oyler and Dawson Schwengler. The score would remain 1-1 as both teams headed to the locker room for the first intermission.
After a defensive battle for most of the second period, Grisha Gotovets found the back of the net for his second goal on the season with just under 2 minutes remaining in the period. Gotovets’ goal was assisted by Killian Kiecker-Olson and John Druskinis.
Springfield was able to knot the score at 2 in the third period with a power play goal from Danila Larionovs. Veteran Forward Connor Szmul came up clutch in the third period for the Steel scoring an unassisted goal to give Chippewa a 3-2 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Szmul added an empty-net goal with 1 second on the clock to add a cherry on top of the 4-2 victory. The win on Friday night gives Chippewa a 7-2 record on the season, good for first place in the Midwest Division.
In net for Chippewa was Trent Burnham, who stopped 33 of 35 shots.
The Steel will finish their weekend series with the Springfield Jr. Blues on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. with Halloween Costume Night presented by Goodwill. Fan are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costume and have a chance to win a Goodwill gift card in the first intermission. 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.
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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.