CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI – All games are important at this stage of the season, but this weekend’s games between the Chippewa Steel (21-16-5) and Anchorage Wolverines (22-12-4) have extra motivation. Coming off a sweep of Minnesota and Kenai, the Steel have pulled themselves to just one point behind the Wilderness for the final playoff spot in the Midwest Division. If all goes well this weekend, the Steel could jump back into the top four and even a chance at solo 3rd which is occupied currently by the Wolverines.
GAME/TICKET INFORMATION
Both Friday and Saturday’s game will be held at the Chippewa Area Ice Arena with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM. Friday is College Student Night, all students get in free with a student ID. Saturday is Autograph Night, stick around after the game to get signatures from your favorite Steel players! Tickets for both games can be purchased HERE.
RELEASE THE TALAN
Second year forward Talan Blanck is having a massive impact on the Steel’s four game winning streak and led the team with five points last weekend versus Kenai. Three assists in Saturday’s game increased his team lead to 24 helpers this season and now has multipoint nights in three straight games. The recent Alaska-Fairbanks commit has 34 points in 39 games this year, look for him to have a big weekend playing alongside future Nanook Peyton Platter.
PARTNERS IN CRIME
Net-minders Ajay White and Carter Wishart had their first combined sweep since in over two months. Ideally, the Steel want the confidence to play both goalies during this important stretch of seven games including a trip to Alaska to close out the month of February. White made 24 saves on Friday and Wishart followed up with a 29 save performance to take down the Brown Bears and complete the sweep.
TOP PROSPECTS
The Steel sent six players to this year’s Top Prospects tournament in Pittsburg earlier this week. Gavin Middendorf and Joe Kelly competed on Team Midwest and fellow teammates Scott Miner, Mason Peapenburg, Cam Springer and Ajay White we’re on Gold Selects. NHL and Collegiate scouts all gathered to watch the best the NAHL has to offer on Monday and Tuesday. The Steel are so proud of this group and want to congratulate them on all their success. For a chance at a game worn and signed jersey from one of these players, an auctioned is being held on behalf of the league. Click HERE to view the auction, the auction close on Feb. 13 at 12:00 PM CT.
Stay connected during the season by following the Steel @chippewasteel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online at chippewasteelhockey.com.