MELTING STEEL

The U.S. National Under-18 Team faces off against the Chicago Steel on Friday (Feb. 1) at USA Hockey Arena.

The Steel enter the matchup with a seven-game win streak, which dates back to a 5-4 overtime victory against the Youngstown Phantoms on Jan. 11. Steel forward Nick Abruzzese leads the team in scoring with 48 points and is tied with Youngstown's Brett Murray for the scoring lead across the USHL.

Chicago is ranked No. 5 in the USHL, which is one spot better than the last time Team USA and the Steel squared off. The Steel own the league's No. 3 offense and No. 8 defense. Chicago's power play is ranked No. 7 at 21.5 percent and its penalty kill is ranked No. 8 at 80.8 percent.

USHL League Ranking: No. 5
Overall 2018-19 Record: 24-12-1-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL)

Steel Top Scorers

Nick Abruzzese (16-32-48 in 37 GP)
Matteo Pietroniro (14-19-33 in 37 GP)
Adam Robbins (10-21-31 in 35 GP)

Steel Plus/Minus Leaders

Luke Reid (+13)
Matteo Pietroniro (+11)

Steel Goaltender

Justin Robbins (17-8-1-0 in 27 GP, 3.12 GAA, .884 SV%)

2018-19 Results/Schedule vs. Chicago Steel

Nov. 17, 2018, U17s vs Chicago Steel (L, 5-3)
Dec. 29, 2018, U17s @ Chicago Steel (L, 6-3)
Jan. 21, 2018, U17s vs Chicago Steel (OTL, 4-3)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Chicago Steel

32-25-8 (W-L-OTL)
Home: 17-12-4
Road: 15-13-4