Spetz Calms the Storm in 4-3 Overtime Win
February 23, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
KEARNEY, NEBRASKA - Chicago Steel defenseman John Spetz scored a pair of pivotal goals Saturday night to lead his team past the league-leading Tri-City Storm in a 4-3 overtime win Saturday night at Viaero Center in Kearney, Neb. Spetz tied the game late in the third before his second goal of the night won the game for the Steel (28-16-1-0, 57 pts.) as they split the weekend series with the Storm (35-9-2-1, 73 pts.) in the team' only regular season matchup.
A night after special teams proved the difference in a 5-3 Tri-City win, Chicago was put to the test on the penalty kill in the first period, killing off three Storm powerplay opportunities. Chicago then struck for the first two goals of the game in the second period. Left wing Gunnarwolfe Fontaine scored his 17th of the season as he went top shelf over the shoulder of Storm goaltender Isaiah Saville after corralling a Luke Reid shot from the slot.
Just minutes later, Fontaine's linemate Neil Shea gave his team a two-goal lead as he came streaking down the left boards and beat Saville over the glove after a long set-up pass from defenseman Matteo Pietroniro.
The Storm responded with a pair of goals of their own to tie the game. Just 40 seconds after Shea scored, Tri-City forward Brendan Furry finished off a cross-crease feed from forward Shane Pinto. The Storm then tied the game midway through the third period as defenseman Zac Jones finished off a tap in chance from Ronnie Attard past a sliding Chicago goaltender Justin Robbins.
In a wild finish to regulation, the team's traded goals 1:13 apart to send the game to overtime. Tri-City jumped out to its first lead of the night, 3-2, when forward Joseph Molenaar skated through the offensive zone and around a series of Chicago skaters before beating Robbins up high.
With the Steel staring down their third-straight loss, Spetz answered back with his first goal of the night, firing a one-timer from the point that appeared to hit a Storm skater in front of the net and deflect past an unsuspecting Saville.
In overtime, it was Robbins who started the rust from outside his own crease sending a pass past center ice to right wing Robert Mastrosimone who eluded a defender and calmly found Spetz streaking down the right side. Spetz wristed the game-winner past the blocker of Saville.
In addition to picking up his first assist of the season, Robbins was strong in net, turning aside 22 shots in the game as Chicago handed Tri-City just its fifth loss of the season at Viaero Center. Saville was saddled with a loss for just the sixth time this season.
The Steel finish off the three-game weekend with a road game against the Omaha Lancers on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT. Chicago then plays a home-and-home for the first matchups of the season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2. Friday's game is in Dubuque, Iowa before the Steel return to Fox Valley Ice Arena on Saturday, March 2 for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff on a night that includes the team's second annual Wiener Dog Races.
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.
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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