CHICAGO STEEL:  The Chicago Steel line up as the NTDP's only opponent this week, as both the Under-17 (Fri.) and Under-18 Teams (Sat.) get an opportunity to host.

Chicago rounds out the USHL's Eastern Conference, coming into the weekend sporting an 11-17-2-2 record, good for 26 points.

The Steel are led in scoring by standout forward Michael Hage, who was most recently at USA Hockey Arena on Monday afternoon as a participant in the 2024 Chipotle All-American Game. Hage has a team-high 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points, and 1.11 points-per-game. Helping out the offensive punch are Charlie Major (14g-15a--29pts), Joey DelGreco (13g-14a--27pts) and Mick Thompson (11g-14a--25 pts). 

On the blue line, Michael Hagens, older brother of NTDP forward James Hagens (Hauppauge, N.Y.), leads the way with 18 points (3g-15a) from 32 games played on the season.

Chicago's net play has struggled this season as both qualified goaltenders, Louka Cloutier and Christian Manz, rank outside the league's top-20 in goals allowed. The former owns a 4-8-1-1 record with a 3.97 GAA and .893 SV% in 15 apperances. Manz, who has recieved slightly more time in net, enters with a 7-9-1-1 record, 4.80 GAA and .870 SV% in his 19 games played.

The Under-18 Team won the only previous game of the season with the Steel, 8-5, back on December 13 at USA Hockey Arena. The U18s will look to sweep the season series as this will be the final matchup between the two sides.

Friday's game will be the second of four between Chicago and the U17s; Chicago took the first one, earning a 4-3 overtime win on December 3. The U17s wlil complete the series with Chicago on March 9-10 when they pay a visit to Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois.