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Chicago Falls To Bloomington 3-2 In Overtime

November 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel (5-9-2-1, 13 points) fell to the Bloomington Thunder (8-6-2-1, 19 points) 3-2 in overtime Friday at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Jeremy Davies scored the game winner during the three-on-three portion of sudden death overtime as Bloomington captured the first meeting between the Eastern Conference foes. John Lethemon tied a career high with 36 saves for Chicago in the loss.

Both teams went into the game determined not to give up the first goal. The offenses had a hard time gaining any momentum to create opportunities. The defenses made it difficult for the opponent to cross the blue line and generate scoring chances. Chicago put eight shots on net while Bloomington had 11 in the period. Neither team could find the back of the net as they went into the first intermission scoreless.

The Steel were the first to get on the scoreboard in the second frame. Tanner Laczynski picked up a loose puck 15 feet in front of the net. He quickly turned and fired to beat Thunder netminder Hayden Lavigne through the five hole giving Chicago a 1-0 lead 5:55 into the period. Bloomington tied the game off an odd-man-rush opportunity. Jake Slaker carried the puck down the right wing and put a wrist shot off the blocker of Lethemon, then Mitchell Chaffee followed up the play and lifted the puck into the back of the net to even the score at the 12:53 mark.

Bloomington went ahead early in the third period. Patrick Curry was able to send a bouncing puck over Lethemon at 6:24 to give the Thunder their first lead of the game. Jake Jaremko answered midway through the frame on the power play. While at the blue line, Steel defenseman Grant Gabriele made a spectacular play on the puck to knock it out of mid-air and keep it in the offensive zone. The puck found its way to Jaremko who elevated it top-shelf to level the score 2-2. It was Jaremko's team-leading 11th goal of the season.

The contest needed overtime to find the eventual game-winner. With both teams playing three-on-three hockey, Bloomington's Jeremy Davies carried the puck across the face of goal and beat Lethemon over the block 4:35 into the extra frame.

The Steel have now earned at least a point in five of their last six games. With a power play goal, Jaremko now has seven to lead the USHL.

Chicago's next test is Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m. as they welcome the Madison Capitols to Fox Valley Ice Arena. For more details or to purchase tickets, call 855-51-STEEL, visit the Steel Box Office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.


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