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USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Come Back, Beat Gamblers 4-2 Saturday Night

January 12, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Chicago Steel came from behind with three unanswered third period goals to beat the Green Bay Gamblers 4-2 Saturday night at Fox Valley Ice Arena. The Steel (19-12-1-0, 39 pts.) were propelled by a three-point performance (2-1-3) from center Nick Abruzzese as he picked up the first goal of the game and the eventual game winner against the Gamblers (11-16-4-1, 27 pts.).

For the second night in a row, Chicago and the road team played a wide open first period until a Steel forward broke a scoreless tie. On Saturday night, it was Abruzzese who found the back of the net in the midst of a 5-on-3 opportunity 7:15 into the game. The Harvard commit netted his 12th of the season after he collected a would-be pass from left wing Robert Mastrosimone and beat Green Bay goaltender Maksim Zukov on the blocker side.

The Gamblers made it 1-1 when forward Jackson Perbix deked around a Steel defenseman and found himself alone with goaltender Justin Robbins, sending a heavy wrist shot over the blocker. Robbins came up big with just more than three minutes to play in the first as he made a series of saves with his right leg fully extended to deny the Gamblers attempt to take the lead.

Green Bay found its first lead of the game 8:48 into the second period when forward Gleb Murtazin finished off a 2-on-1 chance with a toe-drag to a forehand a wrist shot past Robbins.

In the third with the Steel training 2-1, Robbins again came up with a series of big saves, sliding from his right to left and denying Gamblers forward Jesse Tucker with the glove to keep the Steel within one.

Chicago again found success on the powerplay to tied the game as Mastrosimone got one of his own on a give-and-go play with Abruzzese that set the Boston University commit up for his seventh goal of the season. With the game tied and momentum back on the home bench, Abruzzese struck less than two minutes later at the 9:01 mark for his second of the game to put Chicago up 3-2. Abruzzese collected a loose puck in the slot off the stick of right wing Mathieu De St. Phalle, spun and deposited a wrist shot through the five-hole.

De St. Phalle deposited the dagger with 70 seconds remaining when he sent home the empty-net goal to cap the scoring at 4-2.

Robbins ended up with 26 saves, collecting his 13th victory of the season. The Steel have won eight consecutive home games dating back to November 23.

Chicago is back in action with a pair of home games again next weekend. Friday at 7:05 p.m. CT will be a Celebration of Girls Hockey while Saturday at 7:05 p.m. will be the return of the fan-favorite promotion Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental. Fans are encouraged to bring as many new, unwrapped teddy bears as they desire and toss them onto the ice when the Steel score their first goal of the game. Friday's contest will be against the Central Illinois Flying Aces while Saturday will be the only time the Sioux City Musketeers visit the Fox Valley Ice Arena during the regular season.

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. The Steel offer discounted tickets for groups and are offering a special Holiday Pack, which includes three games and four gifts for just $40.

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

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2019


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