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Steel plays Breezy Point this week

NEW ULM – The New Ulm Steel (1-1) play a home-and-home series with Breezy Point this weekend traveling to Breezy Point on Friday before taking on the North Stars Saturday night at the New Ulm Civic Center.

But the two games will be played with some heavy hearts for Steel players and coaches as Ron Siclovan, the father of Steel goaltender Nathan Siclovan, passed away on Saturday.

“We are traveling as a team to Stevens Point (Wisc.) for the funeral (on Thursday),” Steel coach Jay Witta said. “And then travel to Breezy Point Friday.”

He said that they are going to have a moment of silence before the game here on Saturday.

“Nathan probably will not be with the team but the door is open for him. He has a lot of friends and family on this team. We’ll give him all of the time he needs to take care of his family.”

Witta said that the Steel will wear a commemorative patch on their game jerseys the rest of the year in Ron’s honor. “We have not decided that yet or talked to the family.”

He said the games with Breezy Point will be tough.

“The games will be battles – they have put together a good team,” he said. “Last year we beat them in the playoffs two games to one.There is a little chip on their shoulder – they do have a new coach.”

Fans coming to the game here Friday will see a new but familiar name on the Steel roster. Wednesday the Steel traded forward Dylan Kulesa to Rochester for former LeSueur/Henderson/St. Peter standout forward Sam Wenner, who was with the Coulee Regional Chill.

Witta said that the first game in New Ulm drew 854 fans.

“And I think that as momentum catches on who we are, how we play and what we do, to see over 800 fans here was awesome – the kids were pumped when they saw the crowd.”

Witta said that the Steel have to scratch three forwards before each game.

“That is tough to do,” said Witta. “We are good and I like to say that the three players who do not play for us on any given night could be a top six forward on any other team.”

Doors open at 6 p.m, on Saturday at the New Ulm Civic Center.

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