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USHL Chicago Steel

Hage Scores In Overtime To Stomp Out Stampede

January 5, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, IL - After falling behind and tying the game three times, Chicago opened 2024 with an overtime win thanks to Michael Hage's second goal of the night as the Steel (10-17-1-1, 22 pts.) secured a gutsy 4-3 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Stampede (15-13-2-1, 33 pts.) at Fox Valley Ice Arena Friday night.

Michael Hage scored on a beautiful shot from the slot to get Chicago on the board in the first, followed by a jaw-dropping goal from Joey DelGreco in the second period. Mick Thompson rounded out the scoring in regulation off a great feed from Hage to tie the game at three in the third. Hage called game with his second goal of the night and 13th of the year 39 seconds into overtime.

Chicago goaltender Christian Manz made 28 saves on 31 shots to record his seventh win of the season.

The Steel had the luxury of starting the New Year on home ice in the interconference matchup and nearly started 2024 with fireworks on an odd-man rush early in the first period.

Michael Hage carried in on the left wing on a two-on-one and sent a pass to Charlie Major at the back door, but his five-hole shot attempt was denied by Stampede netminder Caleb Heil.

Shortly after the great look for Chicago, Sioux Falls pushed back to open the scoring on a Tyler Borgula wrist shot from a sharp angle that snuck under the glove of Steel goaltender Christian Manz.

The Steel were unphased and came up with a response four minutes later.

On a concise attack that started in their own end, Major and Mick Thompson exchanged passes through neutral ice before Thompson gave a pass to Hage who dragged and fired past Heil for a goal, his 12th of the year.

Late in the period, Will McDonough got behind the Steel defense and battled Chris Reiniger to the net while the puck rolled in on Manz. Jaksen Panzer came in with a poke at the puck that pushed it into the net while it was being dislodged, and after video review, the officials deemed it a good goal for Panzer that gave Sioux Falls a 2-1 lead.

Chicago started the second period with urgency as Joey DelGreco got in alone after splitting the Stampede defense and getting a shot away. Heil turned the shot aside, but DelGreco got another chance immediately after.

Following the rebound, Ben Yurchuk lobbed a pass cross-ice to an open DelGreco at the left circle. After settling the puck, DelGreco ripped a perfectly placed shot over the right shoulder of Heil for a beautiful snipe. The goal was DelGreco's 11th of the year and marked the third straight game he recorded a point.

The Stampede jumped back on top after a miscommunication in front of the Steel net allowed Sioux Falls to gain possession deep in the zone.

Chris Pelosi jarred the puck free in the right corner, and Beckett Hendrickson fired from below the icing line and banked the puck off Manz for a fluky goal that gave the Stampede a 3-2 lead.

Down a goal heading into the third period, the Steel found a breakthrough just before the halfway point of the frame.

Hage entered the zone on the right side and hit the brakes before wheeling around and patiently finding Thompson free at the back door to tie the game at three.

The goal extended Thompson's point streak to four games.

Neither team could find the back of the net for the remainder of the third, sending the game to overtime, the ninth Steel game to reach the extra session this season.

It took all of 39 seconds for the Steel to end the game, as Hage strategically worked around a defenseman at the left circle before springing free and tucking a shot underneath the left pad of Heil for the sixth overtime win for the Steel.

Of Chicago's ten wins, only three have been in regulation. Each of Chicago's last five wins have been by one goal.

The Steel will remain on home ice to take on the Stampede Saturday night at 6:05 pm on Boy Band Night. After the game, fans can stick around for Full Team Post-Game Autographs.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2024


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