USHL Chicago Steel

Steel Strike In Overtime For 5-4 Win Saturday

Published on April 9, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Max Zimmer scored the game-winning goal, a power play snipe two minutes into overtime, to cap off a three-point night and lead the Chicago Steel (26-26-4-3, 59 points) to a 5-4 road victory over the Bloomington Thunder (36-18-5-1, 78 points) at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Steel defenseman Matt Kiersted recorded a career-high three assists in an entertaining contest which included two Bloomington goals late in the third period to force the extra session. Chicago now carries a four-game win streak into its season finale on Sunday afternoon.

The Steel opened up the scoring 9:05 into the contest when Christiano Versich tipped in a point feed from Kiersted. A flurry of goals then followed Versich's tally. Haralds Egle buried a left wing rebound to give Chicago a 2-0 lead at 10:46. Bloomington immediately responded with a low slot jam from Tarek Baker at 11:23, followed by a power play blast from the right point by Butrus Ghafari at 13:19, as the Thunder tied the game 2-2.

Later in the first period, Chicago regained the lead thanks to a quick release from Zimmer, sniping a shot from the low slot past the glove of Bloomington netminder Logan Halladay. The Steel led 3-2 at the first intermission despite being outshot 10-7 in the frame.

Marc Johnstone increased Chicago's lead to two at the 13:11 mark of the third period, knocking a rebound home on a 5-on-3 power play for his second goal in as many nights. However, Bloomington responded once again. Mitchell Chaffee rushed down the ice to tally a shorthanded goal at 14:32, cutting Chicago's lead to 4-3. Thunder center Mitchell Mattson then tied the game with 1:56 remaining in regulation, forcing overtime.

Early in overtime, Bloomington's Wyatt Kalynuk hit Steel defenseman Wyatt Aamodt in the face with a high-stick, giving Chicago a 4-on-3 power play in overtime. Jake Jaremko carried the puck in on the left wing, slowed down inside the blue line and connected a pass to Kiersted at the top of the zone. Kiersted then found Zimmer at the right faceoff dot, who stepped in and sniped a shot past the glove of Halladay at 2:00 of overtime for his third game-winner of the season.

Goalie John Lethemon recorded the victory in net for the Steel, his 15th of the season. Kiersted has tallied at least one point in each of Chicago's four consecutive wins, totaling seven assists.

Chicago returns home on Sunday, April 10 to host the Madison Capitols on Fan Appreciation Day. Faceoff for the season finale is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Fans will have the opportunity to walk away with tons of giveaway items, including t-shirts, pennants, posters and more. The afternoon will also feature the entire team signing autographs after the game. 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 9, 2016


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