Steel lose 3-1 to Lumberjacks

MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN - Despite tying a season-high 40 shots on goal, the Chicago Steel (21-6-1-3, 46 pts.) were only able to get one puck past Muskegon goalie Adam Brizgala, as the Lumberjacks (18-11-2-0, 38 pts.) picked up a 3-1 victory Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena. Keeghan Howdeshell scored twice for Muskegon, including an empty-net clincher with under six seconds remaining. Tyler Gratton notched the lone goal for Chicago.

Following a scoreless first period in which the Steel led in shots, 12-10, Howdeshell opened up the scoring 5:12 into the second period. Casey Gilling fed the puck down low to Howdeshell, who beat Steel goalie Ales Stezka on the stick side. Chicago again outshot Muskegon, 15-11, but Brizgala was sensational between the pipes, keeping the Steel off the scoresheet through two periods of play.

A heated third period started with a power-play goal by towering Muskegon center Jachym Kondelik that was poked home at the top of the crease at 1:21, giving the Lumberjacks a 2-0 advantage.

The Steel finally solved Brizgala with just over four minutes remaining in the game. Gratton skated down the left wing on a partial breakaway and sniped a shot into the far corner of the net, beating the Muskegon backstopper over the glove at 15:51.

Chicago pulled Stezka with just over one minute left, hoping to tie the game with an extra attacker on the ice. But a puck sent down toward the empty net was raced after by Howdeshell to beat out an icing call, as the Lumberjacks forward buried an empty-netter to secure a two-goal victory for the home team.

The penalty-filled game saw Chicago go 0-for-8 on the power play, including a number of abbreviated chances. The Steel reached 40 shots on goal for a second time this season after previously doing so Oct. 8 versus Bloomington.