During their two-game series with the Youngstown Phantoms Feb. 15 and 16, the Steel are planning a Taylor Swift-themed Night and a mascot birthday celebration.
Valentine’s Day Weekend is a big one for the Chicago Steel, both on and off the ice.
Chicago is riding a four-game winning streak heading into a two-game series with the Youngstown Phantoms. It’s the first matchup between the two clubs since November 9, when the Phantoms came away with a 4-3 overtime victory in Youngstown.
It’s also a big weekend in terms of promotions. Chicago Steel: The (Next) Eras Night, presented by McCormick FONA, is one of the most anticipated nights of this season.
The Steel are believed to be the first junior or professional hockey team to wear five different jerseys at the same time, with five different variations of special Red era-themed jerseys featuring a different Taylor Swift-inspired saying on each one.
Recently, the full-player jersey reveal went viral with nearly 50,000 social media views in less than 24 hours.
The front of each jersey features a phrase in black and red text modeled after Swift’s Red era tour outfit. Many of the phrases have a unique Steel twist: “Who’s Chicago Steel Anyway? Ew.”, “A Lot Going On At The Moment”, “In My Chicago Steel Era”, “Dopest Non-NHL Franchise in Hockey” and “I Bet You Think About Us.”
The jerseys are currently available for online auction, and bidding will run through Feb. 20 at 5 Pm CT. Net proceeds will benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation.
Saturday night’s game will also feature music from Red and other Taylor Swift eras, merchandise, drink specials and a special surprise planned during the third period.
Last year’s Eras Night generated the highest-attended Steel game at Fox Valley Ice Arena and garnered a record-setting jersey auction to benefit the Geneva Academic Foundation.
The Steel will put a bow on the big weekend by celebrating mascot Rusty’s birthday on Sunday, complete with a slate of area mascots joining the party. They include Gus T. Bull from the Windy City Bulls, Hammy from the Rockford IceHogs, Supernova from the Chicago Stars, and others.
Rusty and his mascot friends will also compete in an entertaining mascot hockey game during the first intermission.
As for the games themselves, the Steel (14-24-3-0), 31 points), head into the weekend with a 51-45-6-4 all-time record against Youngstown, and a 25-26-2-1 mark at home. In two of their three head-to-head meetings this season, Chicago has earned at least one standings point (1-1-1-0).
Steel goaltender Jack Parsons has been a major catalyst for the club’s four-game winning streak. For two consecutive weeks, Parsons has earned USHL Goaltender of the Week honors. He is believed to be the first Steel netminder in franchise history to win the award in consecutive weeks.
During the four-game stretch, Parsons has compiled a 1.75 goals-against average and .953 save percentage, making at least 30 saves in each appearance.
Reid Conn has tallied at least one point in back-to-back games and has a goal and five assists over his last seven contests. He leads team defensemen in points with 16, goals (5) and shots (55).
Youngstown (25-15-0-1, 51 points) has won five of its last six games. The club has scored four or more goals in four of those outings, including a 10-2 rout of USA Hockey NTDP Jan. 31.
Phantoms rookie forward Adam Benak has been scoring at a point-per-game average this season. He’s tied for ninth in overall scoring with 41 points, and his 29 assists rank third overall in the USHL and first among rookies.
Since coming to the Phantoms in a trade with the Omaha Lancers in November, Jamison Sluys has given the cluba major scoring boost. In 20 games with Youngstown, Sluys has tallied 27 points (12-15-27). He has four power-play goals in that span along with six power-play assists.
Puck drop for Saturday’s game is set for 7:05 Pm CT, with Sunday’s contest scheduled for 3:05 Pm.