Gamblers Thwart Chicago Comeback Friday
December 18, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - Green Bay goalie Kevin Reich made 23 saves and defenseman Cam Lee scored an empty-net goal with 2.7 seconds remaining in the third period to shut down Chicago's comeback attempt, sealing a 3-1 victory for the Gamblers (15-9-0-1, 31 points) over the Steel (10-13-2-2, 24 points) Friday at Resch Center. Green Bay has won the first four meetings between the two teams this season.
Green Bay controlled the pace for much of the first period, eventually opening up the scoring with a power play goal at 14:54. Gamblers defenseman Grant Frederic sent a feed to Jason Dhooghe, who buried a wrist shot under the blocker of Chicago netminder John Lethemon. Moments later, Chicago had a golden opportunity to tie the game at 1, as Marc Johnstone returned a pass to Jake Nielsen, but Green Bay goaltender Kevin Reich quickly slid his right pad to the left post to deny Nielsen. Green Bay outshot Chicago 9-6 in the first period.
In the second period, Green Bay doubled its lead when Marc Michaelis dished a pass to Jared Spooner at the back door, who fired a one-time shot over Lethemon's glove at 7:54. Chicago outshot Green Bay 9-4 in the period but were kept off the scoreboard for a seventh consecutive period against the Gamblers including last Saturday's 6-0 Gamblers win at Fox Valley Ice Arena, and part of Chicago's Oct. 24 visit to Green Bay.
The Steel were able to end Reich's shutout bid in the third period. Mitch Lewandowski made a move inside Green Bay defenseman Gordi Myer at the left point and snuck a backhanded shot from the slot past Reich to make the score 2-1 with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation. As Lethemon watched from the bench in favor of a last-minute, 6-on-5 Steel attack, Reich remained solid in net and Lee's empty-netter sealed the win.
Each team recorded 24 shots on goal. In his USHL debut, Chicago defenseman Joseph Duszak tallied his first career point with an assist on Lewandowski's goal.
The Steel continue a season-long ten-game road trip Saturday with their first trip of the season to Illinois rival Bloomington at 7:00 p.m. CST. Chicago will make their way back to Fox Valley Ice Arena for their next home game Sunday, Jan. 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.
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