USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Skate to 3-2 Victory Sunday

Published on April 3, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Jack Gessert scored two goals and added one assist to lead the Chicago Steel (24-26-4-3, 55 points) to a 3-2 victory Sunday over the Omaha Lancers (24-29-4-1, 53 points) at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Christiano Versich also recorded a three-point effort (1G+2A), while John Lethemon made 35 saves for the Steel.

Midway through the first period, Lancers center JC MacLean beat Lethemon over the glove, but the puck pinged off the crossbar and the game remained scoreless after one period. Omaha quadrupled the Steel in shots, 16-4.

Omaha opened up the scoring at the 2:09 mark of the second period when Chicago Blackhawks prospect Jake Massie poked a rebound into the back of the net. Minutes later, Versich found a loose puck off a faceoff and sent a shot through traffic and over Omaha goaltender Zackarias Skog's blocker to even the game, 1-1.

The Steel took the lead 6:25 into the third period. Versich connected a pass to Gessert, who scored his second goal in as many days. Four minutes later, Gessert added another tally, this time connecting off a patient feed from Samuel Bucek, who was all alone against Skog.

Chicago took two penalties late in the game, and Omaha pulled Skog, setting up a 6-on-3 opportunity for the Lancers. Marc Johnstone blocked two shots for the Steel, and Lethemon made a spectacular glove save on Austin Alger with 2:21 remaining. Just after the penalties expired, the Lancers managed an extra-attacker goal to cut Chicago's lead to one, but the Steel held on for the win.

Chicago ended the three-game weekend a perfect 11-for-11 on the penalty kill.

Chicago's 2015-2016 campaign wraps up next weekend with three games in three days. The weekend begins at Fox Valley Ice Arena on Friday, April 8 with Teacher Appreciation Night vs. Muskegon at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Steel visit the Bloomington Thunder at 7:00 p.m. Then the Steel return home Sunday, April 10 to host the Madison Capitols on Fan Appreciation Day. Faceoff for the season finale is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 855-51-STEEL, stop by the Box Office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2016


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