Gamblers Blank Steel On Saturday
December 12, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS- In front of the largest home crowd of the year, Green Bay Gamblers forward Chris Grando recorded his first career hat trick as the Chicago Steel (10-12-2-2, 24 points) fell to the Gamblers (14-9-0-1, 29 points) 6-0 Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Green Bay goaltender Adam Huska recorded 33 saves in his USHL-leading fourth shutout of the season.
The Gamblers put the pressure on late in the first period with two goals in less than a minute. Marc Michaelis returned a give-and-go feed to Brett Gruber, who then placed a wrist shot past the left skate of the Steel netminder Tyler Johnson to open the scoring at 16:36. Grando doubled the Gambler lead on an odd-man rush 57 seconds later. Ryan Smith picked out Grando cutting towards the net, who fired a one-time shot past the netminder's stick. Green Bay went into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.
Grando added his second goal of the game early in the second frame. The forward carried the puck along the left boards and tried to send a pass to the front of the net. Steel defenseman Jere Astren sprawled out and was able to break up the pass, but the puck deflected off his stick and past Johnson's to give the Gamblers a 3-0 lead at 16:21. The Steel had an opportunity to get back into the game with a five minute major power play midway through the period, but were unable to capitalize.
Grando put the final touch on a loose puck in front of the net which found its way over Johnson midway through the final frame to complete the natural hat trick. Former Steel forward Connor Murphy and Joey Marooney each added goals while Huska preserved the clean sheet and close out the game.
Chicago did not go down without a fight as they tallied a season high 49 penalty minutes in the contest. In his USHL debut, Chicago's Tyler Johnson stopped 35 shots in the loss.
The night marked the Steel's Teddy Bear Toss and Cyclones Night for the local youth hockey association, leading to the largest crowd of the season, 923 fans.
The Steel start a ten-game road trip beginning with a rematch against the Gamblers on Friday, December 18. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Chicago will make their way back to Fox Valley Ice Arena for their next home game Sunday, January 17 at 3 p.m. to take on Muskegon. This game will feature Mommy, Minions and Me Day. Plus, it's a Steel Family Pack game - fans can receive four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and four chuck-a-pucks starting at just $59. Tickets are available at the box office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL or online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2015
- Grando Nets Hat Trick and Huska Records Shutout in 6-0 Win - Green Bay Gamblers
- Gamblers Blank Steel On Saturday - Chicago Steel
- Special Teams Deliver Fifth-Straight Win over Madison - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lumberjacks Pick up One Point against Sioux Falls - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stampede Rally Late and Sweep Lumberjacks with OT Win - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Musketeers Roll over Phantoms 9-4 - Sioux City Musketeers
- Buccaneers win 4-1 - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Lancers Cool Down Roughriders with 4-1 Victory - Omaha Lancers
- Gerard Scores Teddy Bear Toss Goal in Caps' Loss - Madison Capitols
- Buccaneers Handle Stars, 4-1 - Lincoln Stars
- Hawks Roll in Overtime - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Win Streak up to Five Games - Bloomington Thunder
- Another Point for Storm in 2-1 OT Loss to Thunder - Tri-City Storm
- Caps Host Teddy Bear Toss for Toys for Tots Tonight - Madison Capitols
- Stars Travel to Des Moines - Lincoln Stars
- Phantoms Fall in Shootout for Second Straight Night - Youngstown Phantoms
- Chicago Falls Friday - Chicago Steel
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