Steel Claim 3-2 Overtime Victory over Green Bay
April 17, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN -- The Chicago Steel (35-11-3-2; 77 pts.) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 3-2 come-from-behind overtime victory against the Green Bay Gamblers (29-15-2-2; 62 pts.) on Saturday night at Resch Center in Wisconsin.
With the win, the Steel secured the 2021 Anderson Cup, awarded to the USHL regular season champion. It is the second year in a row that Chicago has been crowned Anderson Cup champion and the second time in franchise history.
Trailing 2-1 late in the third period, the Steel scored a game-tying goal moments after it appeared Green Bay would add an empty netter to put the game away. In overtime, Steel captain Erik Middendorf, who started the game-tying sequence with a heady play to avoid an offsides call, netted the game-winner to seal home ice advantage for Chicago throughout the playoffs.
In a battle between two playoff qualifiers, a low-scoring affair still provided thrills all the way to the final whistle.
The first period resembled that of a heavyweight bout with both teams feeling each other out.
Steel netminder Simon Latkoczy rose to the occasion for his biggest test during the opening frame, robbing Gamblers forward Jackson Hallum of an open-net goal. Latkoczy slid left to right to make a right pad stop on Hallum who was cutting to the net, looking to one-touch the puck.
Moments after the crucial save from Latkoczy, the Steel penalty kill was put to the test. A flurry of calls resulted in a stretch of 4-on-4 action followed by three minutes of power play time for Green Bay, in which Chicago held the home team to limited chances, cancelling out the infraction.
The game looked to be headed to the first intermission as a scoreless tie, but a net-front scramble benefitted Steel blueliner David Ma with under a minute in the opening frame.
Ma posted himself in front of Gamblers netminder Matt Davis, poking home his third opportunity on the doorstep to score his second goal of the season.
Jesse Tucker scored the only goal of the middle frame, just a minute into the period on a power play for the Gamblers, tying the game at 1-1. Tucker teed off on a one-timer from the right circle for his 10th goal of the year.
With momentum hanging in the balance after the second intermission, Jarod Crespo struck for Green Bay early in the third to give the Gamblers their first lead of the night.
A puck thrown towards the net deflected off a skate and snuck past Latkoczy, making the score 2-1.
From that point, the Green Bay defense battened down the hatches, limiting the Steel to just seven shots on goal in the final frame.
Steel head coach Brock Sheahan pulled Latkoczy from the crease during a timeout with 2:38 to play in regulation. After a zone clear by the Gamblers and an empty net shot attempt that hit the post, the Steel flipped to the offensive attack.
Chicago captain Erik Middendorf showed his hockey IQ, taking a pass at the blue line and directing it forward but refusing to touch a puck at the blueline until his teammates touched up on-sides. As Green Bay awaited an offsides whistle that correctly never came, Middendorf found Josh Doan on the right side of the offensive zone.
Doan slipped a pass behind the defense to Sean Farrell who danced to a backhand move, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing overtime.
It was Middendorf who played hero for the second consecutive game, scoring just 21 seconds into the extra frame. The Michigan State University commit held onto a puck on the right side of the offensive zone, unleashing a wrist shot that beat Davis glove side to win the game 3-2 and sealed the second Anderson Cup in Chicago Steel franchise history.
Latkoczy made 28 saves in the game, improving his record to 11-2-0-2 between the Steel pipes this season.
Chicago hosts Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Xfinity on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 with a Steel puck giveaway for the first 250 fans at each game. Tickets for all remaining regular season home game are on sale now by calling 855-51-STEEL, visiting ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com or at the Steel Box Office open at 10 a.m. on the day of each home game.
Chicago Steel games can be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (FREE AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (STREAM).
Chicago Steel Upcoming Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, April 23 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Xfinity with Steel puck giveaway (first 250 fans)
Saturday, April 24 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Xfinity with Steel puck giveaway (first 250 fans)
Friday, April 30 vs. TBD (7:05 pm CT) Eastern Conference Semifinals - Game 1 presented by River Front Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2021
- Storm Drop Overtime Decision to Buccaneers - Tri-City Storm
- Fighting Saints Defeat Team USA, Control Playoff Spot - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Steel Claim 3-2 Overtime Victory over Green Bay - Chicago Steel
- Tough Bounces Doom Gamblers in OT - Green Bay Gamblers
- Stampede Rally Comes up Short in 6-4 Loss to Lincoln - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Steel Win Anderson Cup for Second Consecutive Season - Chicago Steel
- Gameday Preview: vs. Sioux Falls - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Seek Bounce-Back Victory against Buccaneers - Tri-City Storm
- USHL Updates Status of Conference Standings, Anderson Cup Race Ahead of Playoffs - USHL
- Force Dominate in Final Home Game of the Regular Season - Fargo Force
- Jake Beaune Commits to Robert Morris University - Lincoln Stars
- Slow Start Plagues Stars in Omaha - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Winning Streak Snapped in Loss to Buccaneers - Tri-City Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
