GENEVA, Ill. — Blackhawks prospect Josiah Slavin and the Chicago Steel watched the Stampede hoist the USHL’s Clark Cup on their home ice Friday after Sioux Falls won 5-1 in Game 3 to complete the sweep in the best-of-five series.
Slavin scored his fourth goal of the playoffs at 16:06 of the third period with an extra attacker to breathe some life into Fox Valley Ice Area.
But Jared Wescott and Ryan Johnson each chipped in an empty-net goal to seal the Stampede’s third Clark Cup championship in the franchise’s 20-year history.
The Steel lost top-50 draft eligible forward Robert Mastrosimone to an undisclosed injury just 67 seconds into the game when he crashed into the boards. The Boston University commit returned to the game for one shift in the opening period and set up a Grade-A scoring chance but left the game after that. He led all skaters with 15 points in the playoffs.
Anthony Romano capitalized on a Jimmy Dowd slashing penalty at 17:42 to put the Stampede up 1-0 heading into the first intermission.
Anthony ROMAAAANOOOO does it again in Chicago! 🚨🚨🚨#SFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/tEDyGDuf8Z
— x – Sioux Falls Stampede (@sfstampede) May 18, 2019
Sioux Falls rode the momentum into the second period with Blake Bride’s goal in front of the net at 4:22.
The CAPTAIN has the Herd up 2-0.#SFvsCHI pic.twitter.com/I7hi2CLXvp
— x – Sioux Falls Stampede (@sfstampede) May 18, 2019
Sam Stevens made it 3-0 at 15:23 of the second with a shorthanded goal.
Sam Stevens gets his own rebound on the breakaway 👀@sfstampede lead 3-0 after ✌️#ClarkCup #WhosNext pic.twitter.com/bf6y127nnf
— USHL (@USHL) May 18, 2019
Slavin scored three goals and 11 points in as many playoffs games for the Steel. He scored 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 32 regular-season games with the Lincoln Stars before he was acquired in January by the Steel along with Orland Park native Hunter Carrick. Slavin, who played at center and wing on the team’s second line, added 20 points (14 goals, seven assists) in 27 regular-season games with the Steel.
Slavin will join former Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland’s Colorado College team next season.