USHL Chicago Steel

Shootout Thriller Ends with Third Straight Steel Win

Published on December 8, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GREEN BAY, WI - After Green Bay overcame a 4-1 second period deficit and forced overtime with a goal in the final minute of regulation, Chicago's Charlie Major and Kolin Sisson scored shootout goals as the Steel (8-12-1-1, 18 pts.) pulled out a gutsy 6-5 win over the Green Bay Gamblers (15-6-1-1, 32 pts.) at the Resch Center Friday night.

The Steel roared to a 4-1 lead in the second period with goals from Mick Thompson, Michael Hage, Lukas Sawchyn, and Ben Yurchuk before the Gamblers scored three straight to tie the game.

Jordan Brisson scored late in the third to give Chicago a 5-4 lead before the Gamblers scored with their net empty to force overtime.

Major and Sisson scored in the second and third rounds of the shootout, marking the first shootout goals scored against Gamblers goaltender Adam Gajan this season to give the Steel the win. Gajan had stopped the previous 16 shootout attempts against him.

Steel goaltender Christian Manz stopped 28 off 33 shots plus both Green Bay shootout attempts to get the win, his sixth of the year.

Three of Chicago's goals came on the power play as the teams combined for five power play goals in the game.

Seven minutes into action in the opening period, Chicago's fourth line of Grayden Slipec, Tobias Ohman, and Owen Tylec put forth great pressure in the attacking end with heavy zone time to set the tone early in the contest.

Shortly after the great Steel forecheck, Mick Thompson picked up a rebound in the left corner of the offensive zone, turned back towards the blue line and sniped a long wrist shot through a screen in front of Gamblers goaltender Adam Gajan.

It was the eighth goal of the year and second in as many games for the veteran forward.

Two minutes following Chicago's goal, Blake Bechen cashed in on a shot-pass from Josh Player that bounced off the blocker of Steel netminder Christian Manz to the stick of Bechen, tying the game at one.

Chicago received the first power play of the game late in the period.

One minute into the advantage, Michael Hage received a pass from Thor Byfuglien and ripped a laser of a wrist shot from the right circle past the outstretched blocker of Gajan for a power play goal.

Ben Yurchuk added a secondary assist on the goal that put Chicago ahead 3-1.

The Steel were not done there, as another power play opportunity arose with two minutes remaining in the period.

With :44 left on the clock, Lukas Sawchyn got an incredible cross-ice feed from Joey DelGreco and smoked a one-timer past a full-split Gajan for another power play goal to make it 3-1.

Sawchyn's goal was his third of the year.

Chicago put forth 15 shots in the first period, setting a new season-high for shots in a single period. The previous single-period high was on Nov. 3 against Green Bay at home.

Chicago held on to its two-goal lead until the halfway point of the second period with their third consecutive power play goal.

Following a big stop by Manz on a shorthanded chance for Green Bay, the Steel started on the rush with Michael Hagens leading the charge. Hagens sent a pass to Thompson, who then lobbed a pass to Yurchuk in the slot who fired a one-timer past a screened Gajan for his fifth goal of the year to make it 4-1.

It marked the first goal for Yurchuk since Nov. 17 against Cedar Rapids.

The Gamblers went to the power play for the first time five minutes after Chicago's fourth goal and converted on a slick Ben Poitras shot off a great feed from Lev Katzin to bring them within two.

With just over a minute left in the second period, it appeared the Steel had regained a three-goal lead after Hagens rifled a blue line bomb for a goal, but the officials gathered and reversed the call ruling goaltender interference.

The Steel started the third shorthanded after a late penalty in the second frame, but Charlie Major had the best look to start the period with a shorthanded breakaway. Major tried a forehand-backhand deke move, but Gajan read it well and made the stop.

Forty-nine seconds into the period, Libor Nemec received some puck luck after his backdoor pass attempt ricocheted off a Steel skate in front of the net and back onto his tape, allowing for an easy goal.

Major had another shorthanded look on a breakaway, but again, Gajan made a clutch stop.

The Gamblers withstood the push from Chicago and evened the ice tilt after Nemec put home a wrist shot that tied the game at four.

With under ten minutes, Chicago went to the advantage and were a goalpost away from taking the lead back but a Thompson shot struck iron.

Seconds after the great look, Chicago had another on an open backdoor chance for Jordan Brisson, but Gajan shot his left pad out for a remarkable stop.

Chicago continued to suffocate the Gamblers and Gajan as Kolin Sisson got behind the defense for a half-breakaway look, but Gajan added to his nightly highlight reel with yet another huge save.

The Gamblers got their first breakaway look with under four minutes left, but Manz replicated the play from his counterpart and kept the Grade-A chance out with the right pad.

With 3:05 on the clock, Brisson made a subtle but effective move to his left to get an opening and sent his third goal of the season into the back of the net to give Chicago a 5-4 lead.

The Gamblers pulled Gajan with 1:30 to go and scored with :36 left in regulation to tie the game at five and send it to overtime, marking the third straight game to reach overtime for the Steel, and the third straight game against Green Bay to advance to an extra session.

Chicago was awarded a power play with just over a minute left in the extra frame, but could not convert, sending the game to a shootout.

Contrary to the prior shootout match between the two teams on Nov. 3 which went nine rounds, Friday's shootout was short-lived, as Major scored in the second round, followed by a stop by Manz, and Sisson scored in the third to give the Steel a 6-5 shootout win.

Chicago will return to Fox Valley Ice Arena to close out the weekend against Green Bay on Saturday, December 9.

Dec. 9 is Winterfest presented by Rookies All-American Pub and Grill. The Steel will wear specialty Winterfest jerseys that will be auctioned online on DASH, with proceeds benefitting the Cyclones Youth Hockey Association.

Saturday's game also features a Post-Game Skate with the Steel, where fans can hit the ice and skate with the Chicago Steel. Fans can bring their own skates or rent a pair. The post-game skate will last approximately 30 minutes following the end of the game.

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.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Saturday, December 9 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 pm CT) | Winterfest presented by Rookies All-American Pub and Grill with Jersey Auction | Post-Game Skate with Steel Wednesday, December 13 at Team USA NTDP U18 (9:30 am CT) Friday, December 15 at Muskegon Lumberjacks (6:10 pm CT)

Check out the Chicago Steel Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2023


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