Saturday: Steel shut out Brown Bears

Published 10:30 pm Friday, September 12, 2025

The visiting Kenai River Brown Bears split a season-opening North American Hockey League series with the Chippewa (Wisconsin) Steel after losing 4-0 Saturday.

“They got a power-play goal, a couple of turnovers and odd-man rushes, and they were able to capitalize,” Kenai River head coach Darren Banks said. “Give credit to Chippewa. They played well tonight.

“We didn’t execute the same way we did last night on the goal-scoring front.”

Jake Hutchen put the Steel up 1-0 after the first period.

Kevin Lysohir scored twice in the second period, once on the power play with just 6 seconds left in the period.

Banks said his squad didn’t quit after the late goal in the second period.

“We battled all the way to the end,” he said. “I actually thought the start of the third period was probably our best hockey that we played tonight.”

Lukas Bellinger had the final tally for the Steel.

Alex Reedy had the 33-save shutout for Chippewa, while Mitchell Mccusker stopped 15 for the Bears.

“We all just want to reset and get back to work,” Banks said. “We’ve got an off day tomorrow and we get back to work Monday.”

The Bears stay on the road to face the Wisconsin Windigo on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. AKDT.

Saturday

Steel 4, Brown Bears 0

Ken 0 0 0 —0

Chi 1 2 1 —4

First period — 1. Chippewa, Hutchen (Jalbert, Vogl), 2:01. Penalties — Kenai River 3 for 6:00; Chippewa 1 for 2:00.

Second period — 2. Chippewa, Lysohir (Jalbert, Schulte), 16:45. 3. Chippewa, Lysohir (Jalbert, Schulte), pp, 19:54. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Chippewa 2 for 4:00.

Third period — 4. Chippewa, Bellinger (Kindseth), 10:41. Penalties — Kenai River 2 for 4:00; Chippewa 2 for 4:00.

Shots on goal — Kenai River 15-9-9—33; Chippewa 10-4-5—19.

Goalies — Kenai River, Mccusker (19 shots, 15 saves); Chippewa, Reedy (33 shots, 33 saves).

Power plays — Kenai River 0 for 4; Chippewa 1 for 6.