USHL Chicago Steel

Laczynski Lifts Steel To Overtime Victory

Published on January 15, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


MADISON, WISCONSIN - Following Jack Gessert's miraculous, no-look tying goal from his knees in the final minute of regulation, Tanner Laczynski buried the Steel's first overtime goal of the season as Chicago (14-16-3-2, 33 points) rallied to defeat the Madison Capitols (12-16-2-2, 28 points), 3-2, Friday at Alliant Energy Center. Laczynski has now tallied at least one point in all seven games since returning to the Steel after competing for Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge in December.

Chicago scored the lone goal of the opening period. Following a media timeout, Lucas Michaud won an offensive zone faceoff in the right wing circle and drew the puck back to Jack Gessert. With his back facing the net, Gessert found the puck, spun around and fired a wrist shot through traffic and past Madison netminder Garrett Metcalf.

The Steel put on the defensive clamps in the second period, limiting the Capitols to just three shots on goal in a scoreless frame.

Early in the third period, Madison's Tyson McLellan spoiled Chicago goaltender Daniel Vladar's shutout bid, racing down the ice at the start of a penalty kill and scoring on Vladar's glove side. It was the Capitols' first shorthanded goal of the season. The Capitols then took their first lead of the game when Ryan Lohin's faceoff win was found by Sam McCormick and the puck was quickly fired to the back of the net at 13:09.

With Vladar on the bench in favor of an extra attacker, Madison's Alexandre Payusov missed the empty net with a shot wide of the left post. Then, with 32 seconds remaining in regulation, Gessert was knocked down to his knees in the slot with his back facing the net. Gessert gathered the puck and snuck a no-look backhander past Metcalf to tie the game, 2-2, and force overtime.

Both teams battled through the initial 4-on-4 portion of the seven-minute session before the game moved to 3-on-3 for the second half of overtime. Ruslan Rakhmatov forced a turnover along the defensive wall and led the rush, feeding the puck ahead to Laczynski. As Laczynski entered the offensive zone patiently controlling the puck while skating into the high slot, he waited for the defender to screen Metcalf and then snapped a shot over the glove of the Madison netminder to secure a 3-2 victory for the Steel.

Laczynski is tied for the USHL lead with 36 points (11+25) registered this season. His current seven-game point streak is the longest by any player in the league this season.

Vladar made his first appearance in net for the Steel since Dec. 5. The Czech Republic native represented his country at the 2016 World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland, and returned to North America earlier this week. Vladar finished the game with 31 saves.

Chicago concludes its season-long, 10-game road trip Saturday with a visit to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a 7:00 p.m. CST meeting with the RoughRiders. The Steel then return to Fox Valley Ice Arena for a Sunday matinee against Muskegon. Faceoff against the Lumberjacks is at 3:00 p.m. This game will feature the unveiling of the team's new scoreboard during 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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United States Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2016


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