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USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Claw Back to Defeat Gamblers 5-4 in Overtime

March 30, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GREEN BAY, WI - After surrendering a 2-0 lead on three straight Green Bay goals, Chicago scored twice in the third before Michael Hagens sniped the winning goal in overtime as the Steel (26-25-3-4, 59 pts.) defeated the Gamblers (33-16-6-2, 74 pts.) 5-4 in overtime at the Resch Center Saturday night.

The victory, combined with a Cedar Rapids loss Saturday, lowered the Steel playoff magic number to two with four games remaining in the regular season. Chicago can clinch a berth with a win in its next game, Friday, April 5 at home vs. Dubuque.

Hagens' game-winner came 19 seconds into the extra frame after teammate Tobias Ohman tied the game in the third period to force overtime.

Michael Hage opened the scoring with his 32nd goal of the season, and Grayden Slipec, who reached the 100 USHL games milestone, notched his second goal of the season. Charlie Major potted his 30th score of the year, and Ohman's power play goal was his eighth.

Goaltender Louka Cloutier made 31 saves in his 14th win of the season including several big stops in the third period.

Just one night after allowing three power play goals, the Steel were a perfect four-for-four on the penalty kill on Saturday, including two big third period kills.

Following a power play clinic from the two teams on Friday, Chicago was handed the game's first penalty just two minutes in, but the Steel held strong and kept the Gamblers off the board for a solid start.

The Steel got on the board first Saturday night following a strong forecheck with a handful of great looks.

Charlie Major made a great play to negate a Gamblers clear and passed to Hage at the left wing before firing a blistering wrist shot just inside the right post. Major received the lone assist, but Michael Emerson provided an excellent screen in front of the net.

The Steel extended its lead in the middle frame when Hudson Gorski sent a beautiful long pass through the neutral zone to hit Slipec in stride and spring him on a breakaway. Slipec deked before sliding a backhand five-hole on Gamblers netminder Gavin Moffatt to make it 2-0. The back half of the intermission was owned by the Gamblers who scored three goals to take the lead.

At 12:55 of the frame, Ryan Humphrey built on his strong weekend with a goal to get the Gamblers on the board. The officials reviewed the goal for potential goaltender interference but upheld the call on the ice.

Just 19 seconds later, Chris Romaine potted another goal for the home team to tie the game at two.

A scuffle several minutes later left three Steel and two Gamblers in the box before a Green Bay penalty evened things up. When the Gamblers returned to full strength, Ben Poitras ripped a shot from the high slot past Cloutier's blocker for his 19th goal of the season, putting Green Bay in front, 3-2.

Chicago was tasked with killing two penalties in the first ten minutes of the third frame before finding the back of the net on the heels of their second kill.

The Steel stifled a Green Bay zone exit, and Emerson played catch with Major in front of the net before Major deposited a shot past a sprawled out Moffatt to tie the game at three.

The Gamblers pulled the momentum back to their side four minutes later when Mykhailo Danylov got behind Chicago's defense and scored off a backdoor feed to give Green Bay the lead back.

The cat-and-mouse game continued when the Gamblers were handed a penalty one minute after their goal.

Major led the charge on the power play, ducking to the right wing and behind the net before sending a pass to an open Ohman in the slot, who fired into the top of the net to tie the game for the third time.

Ohman's goal was the last in regulation, as a late Steel power play came up empty.

Chicago won the draw to start the three-on-three extra frame, sending the puck behind its own cage to Hagens. The defenseman went coast-to-coast, down the right wing with speed before ripping a shot past the blocker of Moffatt to give the Steel the 5-4 overtime win.

Chicago finishes the regular season 6-2-0-1 against Green Bay and 4-1-0-0 at the Resch Center. Six of the nine matchups between the teams went to overtime.

The Steel host the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Friday, April 5 at 7:05 pm CT for 80's Night presented by Go Brewing with a Total Solar Eclipse Glasses Giveaway to the first 500 fans. 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 a limited time, fans can take advantage of the team's Ticket Plan Madness promotion to receive free regular season and playoff games for this season plus other benefits when signing up for a new ticket plan for the 2024-2025 season. Ticket plans start at just 5 games for $50.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:

Friday, April 5 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) | 80's Night presented by Go Brewing | Total Solar Eclipse Glasses Giveaway (first 500 fans)

Saturday, April 6 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (6:05 pm CT)

Friday, April 12 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:05 pm CT) | $2 Hot Dogs, Sodas, and Popcorn | $3 Beers

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