Friday night the Chicago Steel notched another one in the win column for their pre season warm ups. Both teams came to play but only one, the Steel to win last night at Bensonville's Edge Arena. The Ice dominated early but seemed to run out of legs and became a team of individuals. The Steel after taking 30 minutes to warm up caught their stride on the ice and looked well coached.
The venue at the Edge has been significantly upgraded since my first visit years ago. It now boasts an bar and sky boxes which can be rented for parties. Tickets on game day can be reserved for five dollars until 1:00 pm, parking is free, yes, even in this recession you can afford to take the family to to a Steel game. However one thing hasn't changed, one of the best things about seeing a game at the Edge is it's intimacy. Where ever you sit you are right on top of the ice, the sight lines are great. But the price is that the arena is often cold, so if you attend a game bring your favorite sweater or fleece even on a 80 degree day and you will be glad you did.
For those who have never seen the Steel they are members of the United States Hockey League or the American equivalent to the Canadian Major Junior Leagues. It is composed of young men under the age of twenty, has 14 teams divided into two divisions. All teams are based in the Midwest making for a “bus league” where games are only a few hours apart. The members of this league are funneled into the college system after “graduation” from the USHL.
Still it's pre season all these games are shake down cruses and are just a glimpse of what is to come for the season. If this is first snap shot of a team still finding it's legs things look good for the regular season. The kids in the USHL can skate, oh man can they hit and they even dig for the puck in corners. The regular season opens October 3rd against the USA Hockey team they will have all the bells and whistles for the fans out for opening night you can be sure. For a $7.00 ticket what's not to love?
Sit Down And Shut UP