Doan Hat Trick Powers Steel to 4-3 Overtime Win
January 24, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL) - Chicago Steel News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Forward Josh Doan scored three goals, including the game-winner in overtime, and the Chicago Steel (16-4-2-0; 34 pts.) climbed back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 4-3 win in overtime against the Youngstown Phantoms (5-13-1-1; 12 pts.) on Sunday at Covelli Centre in Ohio.
Doan factored on all four Steel goals while recording his second hat trick in six games as Chicago captured the rubber match of the three-game weekend series with Youngstown.
Defenseman Jack Bar netted his first career USHL marker in just his third game with the club.
Chicago netminder Jack Stark made 21 saves to improve his season record to 3-0-0-0 with all three wins coming against the Phantoms.
The Steel penalty killers were the early stars of the game as they were put to the test just five minutes into the matchup. Steel forward Jackson Blake was called for a 5-minute major sending the Phantoms to an extended man advantage.
Just a minute after the penalty was cancelled out, Phantoms forward Jack Malone broke free with the best scoring chance of the period for the home team.
Malone deflected a puck, giving himself a 1-on-1 chance with Stark as he tried to slip the puck five-hole. Stark was quick with his pad, keeping the slate clean for Chicago.
Josh Doan gave the Steel their first lead of the afternoon with six minutes remaining in the opening frame. The Arizona State University commit lost the Youngstown coverage on a power play as the Phantoms collapsed towards Erik Middendorf to the right of the Phantoms crease.
Middendorf found his teammate for an easy goal, the only marker of the first period.
Youngstown jumped in front early in the middle frame with a pair of goals separated by just over a minute of game time.
On what seemed like a routine offensive rush, Youngstown forward Ben Schoen gained the Phantoms zone and fired a wrist shot just above the right circle that beat Stark and tied the game at 1-1.
Shortly after the equalizer, Youngstown fought hard to win a faceoff in their offensive zone.
Kenta Isogai gained control of the puck and dipped behind the net, finding Jaden Grant for his second goal in the last two games against Chicago.
Yusaku Ando added his second marker of the weekend on a brilliant feed from Georgii Merkulov as Merkulov rushed down the left side of the Youngstown offensive zone. The Russian forward found Ando with a quick pass that was tapped home to extend the lead to 3-1.
As the Steel looked to be slipping away, defenseman Jack Bar netted his goal late in the middle frame. The Newmarket, Ontario, native trailed an offensive zone rush and unleashed a wrister from the top of the right circle, beating Phantoms netminder Kyle Chauvette to bring the Steel to within a goal heading into the last period of the weekend.
Doan didn't wait long to tie the game, netting a power play marker just 44 seconds into the third period. His second of the night, Doan picked up a pass from Sean Farrell after Farrell waited out the Youngstown defenders, leaving an open lane for Doan from the high slot.
With the game knotted up at 3-3 and almost the entire final period to play, both netminders answered the call. Including a power play chance for both teams, Chauvette turned away eight shots in the third as Stark made five saves.
Stark's biggest save came moments before time ran out in regulation as his right pad stoned a quick shot attempt from Phantoms forward Jaden Grant, sending the game to overtime.
After a board battle win by Steel defenseman Jack Babbage in the extra frame, Erik Middendorf carried the puck up the right wing boards with Doan keeping pace on the left side. Middendorf fed Doan at the last second as Doan hammered home the game-winner to conclude the weekend.
Chicago's special teams units made the difference in the 4-3 overtime victory as the Steel went 2-for-5 (40.0%) on the power play and 2-for-2 (100%) on the penalty kill including the five- minute major early on in the first.
The Steel return to action next weekend with a three-game series against the second place team in the Eastern Conference, the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Friday's 6:00 pm CT matchup at Mercy Health Arena kicks off the series and the teams travel to Fox Valley Ice Arena for a Saturday faceoff at 7:05 pm CT and a Sunday afternoon puck drop at 3:05 pm CT. Both Steel home games are presented by Geneva Family Dental.
Chicago Steel games may be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (VIDEO).
Chicago Steel Upcoming Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush: Friday, January 29 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:00 pm CT)
Saturday, January 30 vs Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) presented by Geneva Family Dental
Sunday, January 31 vs Muskegon Lumberjacks (3:05 pm CT) presented by Geneva Family Dental
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2021
- Doan's Hat Trick Lifts Chicago Past Phantoms 4-3 in Overtime - Youngstown Phantoms
- Doan Hat Trick Powers Steel to 4-3 Overtime Win - Chicago Steel
- Waterloo Rallies Past Musketeers for Weekend Sweep - Sioux City Musketeers
- Three-Goal Third Lifts Phantoms over Steel 5-2 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Craft Scores Late, Stars Win 2-1 over Storm - Lincoln Stars
- Force Top Buccaneers in OT - Fargo Force
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