Four Second Period Goals Spark Steel To Fifth Straight Win
February 16, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Steel scored four straight goals within a 5:08 span of the second period and held off a furious comeback from the visitors in the final frame to earn a 6-4 win on Saturday night. Chicago (33-7-1-0, 67 pts) defeated the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (22-16-1-0, 45 pts) in front of a season-high 1,829 fans at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
The Steel had some quality chances in the first including an odd-man rush with eight minutes left in the frame.
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine gained the line on the right wing with Sean Farrell taking the left wing. Fontaine put a shot on net that ricocheted off toward Farrell but Team USA defenseman Ty Gallagher was able to get to it before the Steel forward could tuck it home.
Fontaine had another chance to reach the scoresheet with less than a minute remaining in the frame. Brendan Brisson was fresh out of the penalty box and found the streaking Fontaine who rang a shot off the post, keeping the score at 0-0 entering the middle frame.
The second period was where the Steel did the majority of their damage.
"First period, we controlled the period but it wasn't our best hockey," said Steel Head Coach Brock Sheahan. "We didn't give up much but generated some chances that didn't go in. The second period we generated a ton of chances and found our game. It was fun to watch, I loved the way we were playing."
After a Team USA goal from Ty Gallagher, Chicago began its stretch of four goals in just over five minutes.
Matty De St. Phalle found the net after making a forehand-backhand move, catching USA netminder Gibson Homer out of position to tie the game at 1-1.
Mackie Samoskevich was next to tickle the twine for the Steel, with a rocket of a wrister from the right circle just two and a half minutes later.
Sam Colangelo, in almost a mirror image of Samoskevich's marker, lit the lamp for his 20th goal of the season. After the goal, Team USA replaced Homer with Kaidan Mbereko in net.
Matt Coronato finished off the scoring run with a tap-in goal after a brilliant feed from John Jaworski. After John Spetz fed Jaworski, the Grinnell, Iowa, native sped down the left wing and faked a shot, tapping the puck over to Coronato who tallied his 12th marker of the season.
"I saw him (Jaworski) make eye contact and I knew it was coming," said Coronato. "He made a great play there and set me up there for a tap in."
Defenseman John Spetz showed off his offensive ability in the final frame when he split two Team USA defenders and showed great patience, making a move to his forehand to secure a 5- 1 advantage for the home team.
Team USA began to dig its way out of the 5-1 hole with a goal from Roman Schmidt halfway through the frame. Caden Brown added to the comeback attempt with a goal of his own less than three minutes later and with a Jack Hughes re-direct, the Chicago advantage was cut to 5- 4 with less than four minutes in regulation.
"I thought we were really good for forty minutes," said Colangelo. "I thought we stepped off the gas pedal a bit towards the end of the 3rd and it showed. We found a way to get 2 points which is always nice in this league and if we can build on it tomorrow for the 3-in-3 it will be a great weekend."
Team USA used their timeout with 1:14 on the clock, pulling Mbereko for the extra attacker. Chicago was able hold Team USA without a shot on goal before De St. Phalle tallied his second marker of the game, an empty netter with 30.9 seconds on the clock. With the goal, the Glencoe, Ill., native took sole possession of first place on the club with 23 tucks this season. After the thrilling win, Chicago now has a chance to secure its second consecutive weekend sweep playing three games in three days.
The Steel return to action on Sun., Feb. 16 for a 3:05 pm start time against Team USA with their third game in as many days. Sunday's matinee is LEGOLAND Day presented by LEGOLAND Schaumburg with a LEGO building station for kids and prizes including annual passes to LEGOLAND.
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:
Sun., Feb. 16 vs. Team USA U17 3:05 pm (LEGOLAND Day presented by LEGOLAND Schaumburg, Topgolf Family Pack)
Sat., Feb. 22 at Waterloo Black Hawks 7:05 pm
Sun., Feb. 23 at Madison Capitols 3:05 pm
For more information and to purchase Steel tickets, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2020
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- Preview: Storm Seek Weekend Sweep over Capitols - Tri-City Storm
- Four Second Period Goals Spark Steel To Fifth Straight Win - Chicago Steel
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