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Long's Hat Trick Takes Down Team USA Friday

March 11, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, Illinois - Steel forward Austen Long scored his first career hat trick to lift the Chicago Steel (20-21-4-3, 47 points) to a 5-1 victory over Team USA (18-23-4-1) Friday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Ruslan Rakhmatov and Jake Jaremko each tallied goals in the win, while goaltender Daniel Vladar made 17 saves in net for Chicago.

The Steel took control of the game early in the first period with two goals in the opening six minutes of play. Chicago defenseman Matt Kiersted sent a long stretch pass to put Jaremko in behind USA's defense. Going one-on-one with netminder Adam Scheel, Jaremko waited for the goalie to commit before moving the puck to his backhand, sending the puck through Scheel's five-hole to open the scoring at 4:20. Long began his goal-filled night soon after when he gathered a rebound at the goal line along the right boards. Long quickly put the puck back on net from an acute angle before Scheel could recover to double Chicago's lead at 5:42. The Steel held USA to just two shots on goal in the first period, the fewest the Steel have allowed in a single period so far this season.

Long scored his second of the game in the second period. While shorthanded, Long's poke-check picked the pocket of a USA defensemen, leaving the Steel winger with only the goaltender to beat. Long put a quick wrist shot from 10 feet out and beat Scheel stick-side to give the Steel a three-goal lead at 7:11.

Team USA cut into Chicago's lead early in the final frame. Team USA forward Grant Mismash skated with the puck behind Chicago's goal line. Mismash fed a pass to Logan Cockerill cutting towards the net. Cockerill redirected the pass past the left skate of Steel goalie Daniel Vladar to put USA on the scoreboard. The Steel responded with a goal of their own as Long completed the hat trick. Ruslan Rakhmatov put a wrist shot on goal from the left boards as Long screened Scheel in front of the net. Long deflected the puck past the USA netminder while falling down to the ice. Rakhmatov later added the Steel's fifth goal, a power play tally at 12:39, as Chicago cruised to a 5-1 win.

The Steel finished 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, denying the opposition's power play from lighting the lamp for a sixth consecutive game.

Chicago completes its weekend set with Team USA tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Faith and Family Night, featuring a post-game presentation from select Steel players and coaches. Tickets are available at the Steel Box Office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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