Steel Win Last-Second Thriller
April 2, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Following Jake Jaremko's late, game-tying goal, Jack Gessert tipped in a point shot from Matt Kiersted with just 1.3 seconds remaining as the Chicago Steel (23-26-4-3, 53 points) rallied to defeat the Des Moines Buccaneers (24-30-4-0, 52 points) 5-4 Saturday at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
Though the Steel have come up shy in a number of one-goal games this season, including giving up a buzzer-beater at Omaha on Feb. 6, on this night Chicago was the team with the last-second heroics.
In the first period, Alex Frye scored the Steel's first goal of the weekend, tallying his third goal of the season with a deflection of Karlis Cukste's shot from the top of the left circle at 9:28. Chicago then gained a 2-0 lead later in the period when Jake Jaremko slid a pass to Max Zimmer for a tap in past the stick side of Des Moines netminder Nick MacNab at 15:43.
The Steel increased their lead to 3-0 early in the second period as Jake Jaremko beat MacNab over the glove for Chicago's first power play goal in eight games.
The Buccaneers turned things around as the second period progressed. After being denied on their first 24 shots of the game, Des Moines tallied three goals on eight shots to tie the game. After David Keefer floated a rebound past Steel goaltender Daniel Vladar, Justin Howell tallied his first of the game just 34 seconds later, sliding the puck past the netminder's right pad. Howell then added his second of the period at the 16:23 mark to even the game, 3-3.
The Buccaneers scored their fourth unanswered goal at the 5:59 mark of the third period, as Zach Jordan sent the puck into the net over a diving Vladar to give Des Moines a 4-3 lead.
Late in the game, Chicago pulled Vladar in favor of an extra attacker. Moments later, Max Zimmer sent the puck across the crease to Jaremko, who chipped a shot past MacNab's glove for his second of the night, tying the game at 4 with 1:18 remaining.
The game appeared to be headed to overtime, but Gessert denied the extra session by tipping in the game-winning goal with one second remaining. Matt Kiersted denied a clearing attempt and wristed a shot from the high slot. Gessert got a piece of the puck, deflecting it past MacNab to send the Steel to a 5-4 win.
Jaremko became the first Steel player to score 20 goals this season. Despite allowing four goals in the victory, Vladar made a career-high 42 saves.
Chicago's home 3-in-3 weekend wraps up Sunday against the Omaha Lancers. The 3 p.m. contest is a Steel Family Pack game, where fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas (or waters) and four chuck-a-pucks starting at just $59. 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.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2016
- Yuri Terao Is Four-Midable - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Steel Win Last-Second Thriller - Chicago Steel
- Fighting Saints Stun RoughRiders with Late Flurry - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Musketeers Fight to the Finish in 6-4 Loss to Waterloo - Sioux City Musketeers
- Stampede Blank Stars 2-0 to Move into 4th Place Tie - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Devin Cooley Makes 30 Saves in Muskegon 4-1 Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stampede Blank Stars, 2-0 - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Clinches Regular Season Conference Title, Demolishes Fargo, 4-1 - Tri-City Storm
- Payusov's Early Goal Doesn't Hold up for Caps - Madison Capitols
- Phantoms Sweep Omaha, Run Win Streak to Five - Youngstown Phantoms
- Phantoms Prove Too Much for Omaha in 4-1 Loss - Omaha Lancers
- Capitols out for Payback against Gerard & Jacks - Madison Capitols
- Fighting Saints Set Records, Make History in Dismantling of RoughRiders - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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