BENSENVILLE, IL – After every Chicago Steel score, the hometown fans chant “whose house is it?”. With a goal scoring average of seven tallies per game, the Steel certainly have “built” a scoring powerhouse.
Steel head coach Steve Poapst recently returned from a Chicago BlackHawks alumni trip to Europe. One would wonder what he’s enjoyed most so far, the European vacation or the greatly improved scoring of the 2009-2010 Chicago Steel.
The Steel pressured early into the game, taking a 1-0 lead on a wrister by Andrew Schmit at 3:13 into the game. That was Schmit’s first goal of the year. Give the assist to Theo DiPauli.
Waterloo quickly countered with pressure of their own; coupled with many zone clearing mistakes by the Steel defense. Waterloo’s Zach Palmquist scored on a tip in past Steel goaler, Nick Pisellini. That was Palmquist’s first goal of the season. Give the assist to Brock Montpetit. All tied up at 1-1.
They say talent and making necesary adjustments are key to winning in any sport. During a mid first period time-out, Steel coach Steve Poapst told his squad, “Get your mind back into the game. Clear the puck out of our zone!” Message heard. Adjustment made.
The Steel regained their momentum minutes later by putting intense pressure on Waterloo goaler C.J. Motte. At 11:32 of the first period, Dan Kolomatis scored on a twenty foot shot; giving the Steel the lead for good. That was Kolomatis’ second goal of the year. Give the assists to Gill and Anthoine. Steel. Credit BlackHawk goaltender Motte with a tremendous leg save late into the first period. After the first buzzer, 2-1 Chicago Steel.
Chicago’s momentum and scoring pace continued early into the start of the second period. Credit Sahir Gill with a tip-in goal during a Steel powerplay at 2:22 of the second period. That was Gill’s second goal of the year. Credit Kuschin and Chelios with assists. 3-1 Chicago Steel.
The Steel scored two minutes later into the second during another powerplay. Credit Russian import Alex Krushelynski with skating past two Waterloo defenders to score his first goal of the season. Give assists to Patrick Raley and goaltender Nick Pisellini. 4-1 Chicago Steel.
Credit great goaltending mid second period by both goaltending. Steel goaltender Pisellini robbed Mitch Witek on a tip-in attempt. Waterloo’s Motte thrwarted two high percentage scoring attempts by the Steel. The scoring closed out with a right side tip in by Chicago’s Greg Wolfe at 19:08. Credit Chelios with another assist. 5-1 Steel at the second buzzer.
Down by four goals going into the third, you might think Waterloo would be packing their bags for the bus trip back to Iowa. Never suggest that to the BlackHawks. Waterloo scored twice early into the third period. Tyler Barnes scored on a tip-in at 2:58. Credit DeMartino and Arnold with assists. Making it 5-2 Steel.
Nick Sorkin followed at 8:48 of the final period with a goal after a breakdown in the Steel defense. Give the assist to Patrick Divjak. The pace of the game greatly changed. With the giddy hometwon Steel crowd now voicing its displeasure with the officiating. 5-3 Steel.
The rest of the third featured chippy play by both teams, as well as great goaltending. Credit a tremendous up close and personal save by Waterloo’s Motte during a breakdown by the BlackHawks defense. Mark Anthoine closed the scoring for the Steel at 15:14. Credit great passing and assists to Wolfe and and Raley. At the final buzzer…final score 6-3 Steel. Shots on goal: 30 Steel 26 BlackHawks. Six different scorers for the Steel.
Email me at tom.miller@prohockeynews.com
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