Gibson Homer Makes 40 Saves; Steel Beat Madison 3-2
February 18, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
MADISON, WISCONSIN - Gibson Homer turned away 40 shots to lead the Chicago Steel (24- 10-6-0; 54 pts.) to a 3-2 victory over the Madison Capitols (21-20-19-2; 44 pts.) Friday night at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena, Chicago's first win on the road against the Capitols since Feb.
28, 2020.
The Steel scored the first three goals of the game and outlasted two Madison markers in the third period with a last-second save by Homer.
Hunter McDonald netted his first goal as a member of the Steel while Mick Thompson picked up a goal and a helper. Jack Harvey added his 14th marker of the season in the win.
Giving his club an early 1-0 lead, McDonald struck just over a minute into the game. After taking a pass from Thompson, McDonald walked the blue line and flipped a shot from the left point, using a screen from Nick Moldenhauer to beat Madison netminder Simon Latkoczy.
The Capitols used the next few sequences to pepper multiple chances on Homer who turned away all 11 shots faced in the opening frame.
Chicago stole momentum from the Capitols, starting with a blocked shot from McDonald. Nick Moldenhauer carried the loose puck from his own blue line through the neutral zone and into an offensive rush with Harvey. Moldenhauer fed Harvey at the last second as Harvey poked home a second chance from the doorstep to add to the Steel lead.
Late into the middle frame, Madison got its first power play opportunity but could not solve Homer.
Chicago once again changed the momentum, less than a minute after successfully evading the Capitols' man advantage unit. After Luca Fantilli forced a neutral zone turnover, Thompson chased down the puck on the right side of the Steel offensive zone. Thompson caught Latkoczy with an open space on the ice, increasing the Steel lead to 3-0 with his second goal of the year.
With a 3-0 Chicago cushion to start the third period, the Capitols chipped away at the Steel lead.
Just short of the midway point of the period, Jack Musa knocked down a pass at the blue line and fed Reid Pabich who skated right and shot left on Homer, giving the Capitols their first goal of the game.
With the raucous home crowd on its side, Madison picked up another power play chance just 20 seconds after the goal.
The Steel shorthanded unit came up with their third successful kill of the night but Chicago could not keep Madison at bay for long.
Pabich struck again, cutting the deficit to just one goal after a neutral zone turnover from Chicago. Brody Lamb carried the puck on a 2-on-1 rush and fed Pabich on the left side, giving Homer no time to recover as Pabich one-timed home his 12th goal of the year.
The Steel weathered the momentum until the final minutes when Madison was whistled for a penalty with just over a minute to play.
Chicago controlled possession until the final seconds when a net-front scramble in front of Homer ended with a sprawling save from the Steel goaltender, giving the Arizona State University commit his second 40-plus save game of the year.
Chicago sits alone in first place of the Eastern Conference entering two games against Team USA (U17) on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20 at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
Saturday, Feb. 19 is Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Savard with prizes and giveaways for Steel fans during one of the most highly-anticipated promotions on the Steel schedule.
Sunday, Feb. 20 is Blippi Day with a character appearance as well as a Steel Family Pack Game, a special ticket deal with 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 chips, 4 sodas/waters and 4 chuck-a- pucks for just $50.
Chicago Steel Hockey is presented by River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram.
Single-game tickets start at just $10 and are available in person at the Steel Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at chicagosteelhockeyteam.com. The Steel offer single-game ticket discounts for kids 12 and under and military.
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).
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
Chicago Steel Upcoming Home Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Saturday, February 19 vs. Team USA (U17) (7:05 pm CT) Chicago Blackhawks Night featuring Hockey Hall of Famer Denis Savard
Sunday, February 20 vs. Team USA (U17) (3:05 pm CT) Blippi Day | Steel Family Pack Game
Saturday, March 5 vs. Green Bay (7:05 pm CT) Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental
Chicago Steel Hockey is presented by River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2022
- Storm Drops Home Game to Lancers 3-2 - Tri-City Storm
- Three Early, Two Late in Win - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Team USA's Offense Breaks out Big in Win over Dubuque - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Gibson Homer Makes 40 Saves; Steel Beat Madison 3-2 - Chicago Steel
- Gamblers Split Weekend with Cedar Rapids - Green Bay Gamblers
- Jacks Fall to Youngstown 7-5 in Game One of Weekend Series - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Storm Returns Home to Host United Way Game - Tri-City Storm
- History: Halliday Sets New Bar as Saints Rout Capitols - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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