Steel Fall 5-4 in Shootout Sunday
March 7, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN - The Chicago Steel (25-9-3-1; 54 pts.) fought back from a two- goal deficit in the third period but Team USA (U18) (17-12-3-3; 40 pts.) defeated the Steel 5-4 in a shootout on Sunday afternoon at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.
Despite playing its third road game in less than a 72-hour span, Chicago kept pace with Team USA (U18) in the first period. Both teams registered six shots on goal through the opening frame, with each club lighting the lamp once.
Matt Coronato extended his goal streak to nine games with the contest's first marker, just short of halfway through the first period. Coronato, fresh off of setting a pair of Steel goal-scoring records this weekend, scored his 34th with a play set up by defenseman Jake Livanavage.
Livanavage weaved his way through the neutral zone and slid the puck to Coronato who was able to get enough on a wrist shot that trickled past Team USA goaltender Gibson Homer.
On the play, Erik Middendorf was credited with the secondary assist, giving the Scottsdale, Ariz., native 100 points (44G, 56A) in his USHL career.
Frank Nazar III, playing up from his normal spot on the U17 roster, lit the lamp for Team USA's first goal of the game after a chaotic scramble in front of the crease, sending the game to a 1-1 tie at the end of the first.
Chaz Lucius took the lead for Team USA early in the second period, catching the Steel in a long change. Lucius released a puck after a feed from Isaac Howard, putting his club up 2-1.
The Steel tied the game with a quick response after an excellent display of puck movement in the offensive zone. Defenseman Colton Huard found Middendorf with a rink-wide pass going from the left side to the right side. Middendorf then fired a setup pass back across the ice to Mackie Samoskevich who one-timed a puck from the left circle for his ninth marker of the season. The game turned in favor of Team USA with special teams playing a big role in the middle frame.
The Steel went on a five-minute power play after Tyler Boucher was whistled for elbowing, sending the league's second ranked power play on an extended chance. Team USA kept Chicago off the board and immediately reclaimed the lead with a power play goal of its own. Sean Behrens scored his fourth of the season with a wrist shot, picking the top right corner for a 3-2 edge, his fourth goal of the season.
Just three minutes later, Aidan Hreschuk extended the Team USA lead with a slick move in the slot. Hreschuk eluded a Steel defender, cutting to his left and putting a shot on net that beat Latkoczy, giving Team USA a 4-2 edge.
The Steel offense ignited in a flash early in the third period thanks to two rookies in the Chicago lineup.
Jack Harvey netted his fourth goal in as many games after Quinn Finley and Andon Cerbone hounded Team USA on the forecheck. The puck bounced to Harvey who lifted a backhander that was initially stopped by Homer, but Harvey followed up on his backhand for a goal.
Just two minutes later, Bar cut to the slot and took advantage of a pass from Matt Coronato, parked behind the Team USA net. Bar's laser wrist shot tied the game with 15 minutes to play in regulation.
Steel goaltender Simon Latkoczy played a pivotal role in the third period, making a multitude of timely saves. The Trencin, Slovakia, native twice made stops on sequences when Team USA put initial shots on goal then rung second chances off the post.
Both clubs earned points in the Eastern Conference race as the game shifted to a 3-on-3 overtime session. Team USA tallied three shots to Chicago's zero in the extra frame, all turned away by Latkoczy who made 23 saves in the game.
The contest was decided by shootout as Roman Schmidt sored for Team USA in round one.
Homer stopped shots from Sean Farrell, Matt Coronato and Mackie Samoskevich to seal the victory and the extra point for the home team.
With the shootout loss, the Steel finished the longest road stretch of the season with a 4-2-1-1 record, earning 10 points in eight games.
Steel defenseman Jack Babbage reached a career milestone Sunday, playing in his 200th USHL game.
Chicago returns to home ice for a three-game weekend starting with back-to-back contests against the Green Bay Gamblers on Friday, Mar. 12 and Saturday, Mar. 13 with both games starting at 7:05 pm CT. Team USA (U17) makes the trek to Fox Valley Ice Arena on Sunday for a 3:05 pm CT puck drop in the final game of the weekend.
Over the conclusion of the regular season, 12 of the final 16 Steel games are scheduled on home ice at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Chicago Steel games can be heard on Mixlr at http://mixlr.com/chicago-steel/ (AUDIO) and video may be streamed on available devices through HockeyTV at www.hockeytv.com (VIDEO).
Chicago Steel Upcoming Games presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Friday, March 12 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) presented by Christ Community Church
Saturday, March 13 vs. Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT) presented by Christ Community Church
Sunday, March 14 vs. Team USA (U17) (3:05 pm CT) presented by Christ Community Church
For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2021
- Storm Drop Final Game of Weekend to Musketeers - Tri-City Storm
- Musketeers Rally to Extend Win Streak to Three - Sioux City Musketeers
- Gamblers Complete 3 Game Sweep of Youngstown - Green Bay Gamblers
- Steel Fall 5-4 in Shootout Sunday - Chicago Steel
- Musketeers Rally Past Des Moines on Saturday - Sioux City Musketeers
- Storm Set to Conclude Eight-Game Homestand against Musketeers - Tri-City Storm
- Stars Skid Hits Eight Games - Lincoln Stars
- Force Sweep Stampede in Weekend Series - Fargo Force
- Storm Defeat Black Hawks 5-2 on "Teddy Bear Toss" Night - Tri-City Storm
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