Jackson Blake Registers Hat Trick, Steel Fall 6-5 in Overtime against Green Bay
Published on January 8, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - After trailing by three goals on two separate occasions, the Chicago Steel (20-5-6-0; 46 pts.) fought back to force overtime thanks to a hat trick from Jackson Blake but fell 6-5 in the extra frame against the Green Bay Gamblers (13-13-0-1; 27 pts.) Saturday night at Resch Center in Wisconsin.
Blake's third goal, with just 1:15 left in regulation, forced overtime, but Green Bay's Jared Crespo scored in the extra frame to claim victory for the home team. It was the fifth time this season Chicago has tied a game when trailing in the final 90 seconds to force overtime.
The Steel finished the weekend earning three out of a possible four points in the two-game set on the road against the Gamblers as Blake put on a show, finishing the pair of contests with a total of five goals.
Steel defenseman Anthony Dowd gave Chicago an early lead five minutes into the game with his fourth goal of the season. Rookie Chris Delaney earned his first USHL point when he won an offensive zone draw back to Luca Fantilli who put a point shot on net. Gamblers netminder Beau Buckley made the stop but the puck careened to Dowd on the right side of the net who flipped it past Buckley.
The Gamblers responded with three straight goals in a span of just over eight minutes.
Jackson Hallum was the first to the scoresheet for the Gamblers before a pair of power play goals from Cameron Lund and Brody Lamb for Green Bay stretched the lead to 3-1 at the end of the opening frame.
Owen Murray added another tally for the Gamblers on a net-front scramble in the middle frame.
After review, the goal stood to extend the Gamblers advantage to 4-1 halfway through the contest.
Jackson Blake started the climb back for Chicago with a power play tally. Jack Harvey found the Carolina Hurricanes prospect in the right circle of the offensive zone as Blake turned and fired a wrister over the top of Buckley.
The Steel looked to turn the tide as the league's second-ranked power play got another opportunity shortly after Blake's goal on the man advantage. After controlling possession in the offensive zone, a broken stick led to a breakaway for Green Bay and Ryan Greene netted the first shorthanded goal against the Steel this season, making the score 5-2.
On the same power play, the Steel got the goal back with a fortunate bounce off a Gamblers defender. Jayden Perron let go a shot loose from the left side of the Steel offensive zone, deflecting off a Green Bay skater before trickling through Buckley.
The final frame began with Chicago chasing a 5-3 deficit but Blake pulled the Steel to within one goal just under five minutes into the period. On an offensive rush generated by a stretch pass from Sam Lipkin, Blake snapped a wrister from the right side of the crease, beating Buckley for the second time.
Steel netminder Nick Haas kept the deficit at one, slamming the door shut on multiple chances during the fifth Gambler power play of the game, midway through the third.
The penalty kill proved crucial when Blake slid a puck through Buckley's five hole with just over a minute in regulation to tie the game.
In the extra frame, a chance for the Steel was turned aside and banked off the boards in the Chicago offensive zone, springing the Gamblers on an odd-man rush. Jarod Crespo scored his fourth goal of the season when he poked home a loose puck on the doorstep after an initial stop by Haas.
The Steel return home for Olympics Night on Friday, Jan. 14 and Star Wars Night presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics on Saturday, Jan. 15. After the Saturday matchup, fans are invited to ice level for a post-game skate. Both contests are slated for a 7:05 pm CT puck drop against the Youngstown Phantoms.
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 now 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:
Friday, January 14 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (7:05 pm CT) Olympics Night
Saturday, January 15 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (7:05 pm CT) Star Wars Night presented by Meyer Signs and Graphics | Post-Game Skate
Friday, January 21 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) Special Jersey Auction for Geneva Academic Foundation presented by FONA International
United States Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2022
- Stampede Rebound for Big Win in Lincoln - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Gamblers Take Overtime Thriller - Green Bay Gamblers
- Jackson Blake Registers Hat Trick, Steel Fall 6-5 in Overtime against Green Bay - Chicago Steel
- Team USA Sweeps Dubuque in Wild 6-5 Thriller - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Tresca Pots a Hat Trick, Lumberjacks Sweep Madison in 7-1 Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Five Third Period Goals Seal a Comeback Win for Omaha - Omaha Lancers
- Storm Top Hawks 4-1 - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm Set for Showdown with Black Hawks - Tri-City Storm
- Capitols Fall in Series Opener to Muskegon in 2022 Home Debut - Madison Capitols
- Storm Blasts Buccaneers in 6-1 Win - Tri-City Storm
- Stars Downed by Musketeers 4-3 - Lincoln Stars
- Phantoms Knock off Cedar Rapids 3-1 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lancers Knock off the Fargo Force for the Fifth Time this Season - Omaha Lancers
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