NEW ULM — When the New Ulm Steel host Willmar at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday night at the New Ulm Civic Center, they will be coming in riding a six-game winning streak.

New Ulm has recorded wins of 3-0 and 4-2 against Peoria and a 6-4 win against Alexandria. This past weekend, the Steel added three more impressive road wins in Mason City with a 5-3 win against North Iowa before adding wins of 5-4 and 4-3 in St. Louis.

Steel head coach Zach Stepan said that since a 6-1 loss to North Iowa on Jan. 10, the Steel have been a completely refocused team and have fixed some things.

Perhaps the three biggest wins in that streak came in the last three games, with the wins over perennial NA3HL powers North Iowa and St. Louis.

Stepan gives a lot of the credit for the wins to goalies Igor Samokhvalov and A.J. Cohen.

“They have been absolutely stellar,” Stepan said. “You may not see it on the scoreboard, but they had some timely saves gave us a second wind. You need that goalie to make big saves and they did.”

Stepan said that Samokhvalov was in the NAHL with Chippewa Falls last season.

“We got him and Nick Wieben from the Rochester (New York) Monarchs of the USPHL (United States Premier Hockey League).”

And Wieben has also been a big addition to the Steel, especially in the last six games. Wieben has six goals in that span, second only to the rampage that Keegan Bauman has been in.

In the last six games, Bauman has eight goals, with Jacob Halvorson scoring five goals.

“We needed our veteran guys to be the best players and they have been,” Stepan said. “What I have enjoyed watching is that it is just not one or two lines. Our third line has also scored.”

Stepan said he may have to make some roster moves soon as he can only carry 25 players as of Feb.10.

“The USHL (United States Hockey League) cutdown is Feb. 1, with the NAHL (North American Hockey League) Feb. 7.,” Stepan said. “So we could get that waterfall affect with players coming here that were cut.”

Stepan said that he may lose Cohen as a goalie as he may be called up to the Chippewa Falls as soon as Tuesday. One of Chippewa Falls’ goalies broke some fingers.

“When we are down to our final 25 player protected list, we will only carry two goalies,” Stepan said. “So who will stay on the active list depends on how long Cohen stays at Chippewa Falls.”

Wednesday night is also ‘Rare Gene and Faith Night’ where youth church organizations get in free. For those in a youth church organization that have not been contacted by the Steel for tickets, contact Bryant Black at 507-345-4625.