OMAHA, NE - The Omaha Lancers renewed their series with the Chicago Steel for the first time since January of 2020. The Chicago Steel had come into tonight's matchup scoring more goals than anyone in the league this season. However, Chicago had given up more goals than any team in the Western Conference so far this season.
The first period began with Chicago coming right out of the gate scoring on a break, as forward Mack Celebrini nets his 25th goal of the season, weaving his way through numerous Lancers, and putting it past goaltender Kevin Pasche to give the Steel an early 1-0 lead.
Chicago would not be done as the Steel found themselves on an odd man rush when forwards Jayden Perron and Quinn Finley hook up on a text book 2-on-1 goal to extend Chicago's lead at 2-0 heading into the locker room.
The second period had the Lancers much more in tune throughout with their physicality beginning to frustrate Chicago.
Eventually the Lancers would cash in, as forward Justin Stupka who had his best game as a Lancer, found forward Aleksi Kivioja in front of the net who would backhand it top shelf past Chicago netminder Jack Stark to cut the deficit in half at 2-1.
The Lancers would continue to control Chicago through the rest of the second period, but would come out of it with just the one goal going into the third.
The third period picked up where the second period had left off with the Lancers continuing to dominate play throughout.
However, it'd be Chicago that would find the back of the net with what was a highlight reel play with forward Jayden Perron ripping a one-timer top shelf from the faceoff circle to make it 3-1.
The Lancers would not go away however, as Griffin Jurecki would bury a rebound opportunity off a wrister from Reese Laubach to cut it back to a one goal game late in the third.
The Lancers would continue to press, but to no avail, as Chicago would hold on with a hard fought 3-2 win for the Steel.
The Lancers are back in action next Friday night in Middleton, Wisconsin to take on the Madison Capitols. Puck drop is at 7:05 CST. You can catch the game on Mixlr or FloSports.
