Steel set for weekend showdown with perennial powerhouse

The Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Steel (27-10-3-1; 58 pts.) enter the weekend with the chance to become the first team in the USHL to reach the 60-point mark in the standings this season with two games against the Dubuque Fighting Saints (15-18-2-0; 32 pts.) in a home-and-home set.

The Fighting Saints have participated in every Clark Cup Playoff competition since their return to the USHL in 2010-2011, but find themselves on the outside looking in with six weeks remaining in the regular season.  Dubuque currently trails fourth place Team USA by eight points for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Chicago enters the matchup having split two games against the Green Bay Gamblers last weekend with a 3-0 shutout victory on March 12 and a 3-2 loss on March 13 before defeating Team USA (U17) 6-3 on Sunday.

Steel defenseman Jack Bar was named USHL Defenseman of the Week, his first weekly honor of the season, for his three-point performance (1G, 2A) over those three contests. The Newmarket, Ontario native was listed as a ‘B’-level prospect by NHL Central Scouting in the most recent watch list for the 2021 NHL Draft released on Jan. 21, 2021.

The league’s leading scorer, Steel forward Sean Farrell, trails the Chicago franchise mark for single-season assists by one, currently held by Nick Abruzzese (Steel 2017-2019). Farrell has totaled 50 helpers this season and has already claimed sole possession of the Steel all-time lead in career points and helpers.

Dubuque has won two of the three matchups between the two teams this season, including the last meeting on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Fox Valley Ice Arena. The Fighting Saints have won three of their last five games but fell 6-4 against the Green Bay Gamblers on Tuesday.

Dubuque defenseman Henry Thrun has charted three points (2G, 1A) in his last five contests for the Fighting Saints and has yet to appear in a game against the Steel this season. The Southborough, Mass., native was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the fourth round (#101 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, joining former Steel forwards Jack Badini, Sam Colangelo and current Steel defenseman Ian Moore as Anaheim prospects.

After the back-to-back games against the Fighting Saints, the Green Bay Gamblers and Team USA (U18) return to Fox Valley Ice Arena for clashes on consecutive nights. The Steel host the Gamblers on Friday, March 26 and Team USA (U18) on Saturday, March 27 with both games starting at 7:05 pm CT.

Chicago Steel games can be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (FREE AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (STREAM).

Chicago Steel Upcoming Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Friday, March 19 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT)

Saturday, March 20 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics

Friday, March 26 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) presented by Waubonsee Community College

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.