USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Punch Ticket to Eastern Conference Semifinals

Published on April 19, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN - With 4:37 gone in overtime, Chicago Steel center Aaro Vidgren jammed home the game-winning goal Wednesday at L.C. Walker Arena to send the Steel to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, as Chicago came back to defeat the Muskegon Lumberjacks 5-4 in the game, and 2-1 in the best-of-three First Round series of the 2018 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs.

#6 seed Chicago will now battle #1 seed Team USA (USA Hockey's National Team Development Program) in a best-of-five Eastern Conference Semifinal beginning this Saturday night in Plymouth, Mich. The Steel will host Game 3 Thursday, April 26, and if necessary, Game 4 on Friday, April 27. The full series schedule is available at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com and tickets for the home games are on sale now.

Vidgren's overtime power-play goal at the top of the crease was set up by a shot from Samuel Bucek, who recorded three points (1-2-3) in his first appearance of the series. Muskegon goaltender Keegan Karki made the initial save but Vidgren came in from beside the net and shoveled home the loose puck. The Steel were backstopped by a 48-save performance from goaltender Oskar Autio.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening period as the Lumberjacks finished with an 18-8 advantage in shots.

Early in the second period, the teams combined for three goals in 1:47 of action. Muskegon defenseman Marc Del Gaizo opened the game's scoring on the power play with a shot from the left wing that beat Autio 3:03 into the second period.

Chicago answered back with a pair of goals in a span of 1:03 to take its first lead the night. Baker Shore (1-1-2) found the back of the net for his second goal of the series at the 3:47 mark when he beat Karki on a rebound from the high slot.

The Steel then went up 2-1 at the 4:50 mark when Bucek connected an outlet feed to Tyler Gratton (1-1-2), who skated in on a breakaway and beat Karki with a forehand shot.

Muskegon answered back 5:09 later as Marc Del Gaizo scored again, firing a wrist shot from the blue line through traffic and past a screened Autio at the 9:59 mark.

After entering the final period of regulation tied 2-2, the Steel and Lumberjacks exchanged goals 11 seconds apart six minutes into the period.

Bucek scored 6:01 into the third period. Gratton started the play with a dump in that Karki blocked right back into the slot where Bucek found the puck and slipped it through the five-hole.

Just 11 seconds later, Muskegon forward Vincent de Mey deflected a shot from Jachym Kondelik to tie the game 3-3 with 13:48 to play.

The teams then exchanged goals later in the period, 1:44 apart. de Mey struck for his second goal in a row when his one-time slap shot from the left-wing circle beat Autio on the glove side.

Chicago's Blake McLaughlin (1-1-2) responded when he beat Karki low to the blocker side with a snap shot from the slot with 4:06 to play, pushing the game to overtime.

The Steel killed off a penalty that carried over into overtime, and then struck with the game-winning tally on a power play of their own after Kondelik was whistled for tripping Shore.

The Steel finished one-for-four on the power play while the Lumberjacks struck twice on six tries. Muskegon finished with a 52-30 shot advantage, including 10 from Anthony Del Gaizo.

Fans are encouraged to visit the Playoff Hub on ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com for game dates, times, results, and ticket information throughout the 2018 Clark Cup Playoffs. All Steel playoff game broadcasts will be carried live on Mixlr (free audio) and HockeyTV (iPPV). For broadcast links and information, visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com/broadcast. For more Steel information or to purchase tickets, call 855-51-STEEL, stop by the Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 19, 2018


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