Hot Hand in Third Gives Gamblers 5-3 Win
November 3, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - A three-goal third period from the Green Bay Gamblers pushed the visitors to a 5-3 win over the Chicago Steel Friday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena. The Steel (4-5-1-0, 9 pts.) tied the game in each of the first two periods but three straight tallies in the third period proved the difference for the Gamblers (5-6-1-0, 11 pts.).
"I thought our most consistency was in our offensive zone, we did some good things," said Steel Head Coach Greg Moore. "Didn't get the result we wanted but we had better detail in our game and in what we were trying to do."
Green Bay opened the scoring 11:40 into the opening frame when forward Gleb Murtazin deflected a point pass from defenseman Chase Pilawski past the glove of Chicago goaltender Justin Robbins.
Chicago made its first powerplay opportunity of the game count when left wing Robert Mastrosimione scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season with 1:52 to play in the first. Defenseman Matteo Pietroniro started the play with a pass down the boards to center Nick Abruzzese who fed a perfect pass to Mastrosimone for the one-time laser from the knee over the glove of Gamblers goaltender Evan Fear. The assist was Abruzzese's team-leading seventh of the season and extended his point streak to four games (2-5-7). Mastrosimone's point streak was also pushed to four games (3-2-5) with the goal.
"I thought [the special teams] were pretty sharp, I was happy with the execution on the powerplay," said Moore. "Obviously we would have liked to have gotten a little more out of it, but it looked pretty good."
The Gamblers regained the lead 2:51 into the second period when forward Kyler Grundy slid his own rebound home after Robbins made the initial save on his breakaway attempt.
However, the Steel again made the powerplay count when right wing Travis Treloar scored his sixth goal of the season and extended his point streak to three games (3-1-4). Treloar one-timed a bouncing puck past Fear after defenseman John Spetz's point shot rang off the crossbar. Treloar drew the double minor after taking a high stick from Green Bay's Pilawski and the Steel struck three seconds into the second penalty.
Green Bay went ahead for good 2:36 into the third period when a perfectly placed shot from Austin Heidemann found room below the crossbar. The Gamblers extended their lead 4:12 later when forward Luke Mylymok slammed the puck home on a broken play.
The lead was extended to three on an unlucky bounce for the Steel when a shot careened off the end boards, over the net and off Robbins' back for the 5-2 Green Bay lead.
Chicago left wing Josh Groll brought the game to within two when he scored on the breakaway using a beautiful shot fake with 6:07 to play.
"He deserves a goal tonight, he's been working really hard consistently lately but bounces haven't gone his way," said Moore. "He's creating for himself and doing things the right way and I'm really happy for him with his goal tonight."
Robbins was pulled for the extra attacker with 3:14 to play but despite a furry of Steel chances, Fear shut the door.
The Steel are back in action Saturday night, November 3, against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The game is Superheroes and Villains night and features the first post-game Skate with the Steel. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates or rent a pair from Fox Valley Ice Arena for $4.
Tickets for all Steel home games are on sale now starting at just $10 and stadium seating on the glass is available for just $20. Parking is always free. The Steel offer discounted tickets for groups and season ticket plans start at just 5 games for $45.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2018
- Stampede Drop Heartbreaker in Final Seconds to Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Three Unanswered Goals Push Musketeers Past Lancers, 3-2 - Omaha Lancers
- Hat Trick From Bobby Brink Lifts The Musketeers Over The Lancers - Sioux City Musketeers
- Muskegon Starts Another Win Streak, Downs Chicago5-2 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Saints Top Black Hawks in Front of 2,772 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Hats off to Ness in Loss - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Phantoms Soar Past Flying Aces - Youngstown Phantoms
- Central Illinois Falls to Youngstown, 4-1 - Central Illinois Flying Aces
- Hot Hand in Third Gives Gamblers 5-3 Win - Chicago Steel
- Lancers Defeat Stars in OT, 5-4 - Omaha Lancers
- Storm Fall 5-2 to Des Moines - Tri-City Storm
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