USHL Chicago Steel

Team USA (U18) Rallies for Shootout Win over Steel

Published on March 23, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release


PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN - USHL-leading Team USA (U18) rallied from a three-goal first period deficit and two-goal gap late in the third to defeat the Chicago Steel in a shootout, 5-4, Friday night at USA Hockey Arena. Joel Farabee forced overtime by scoring a game-tying goal for Team USA (35-14-0-1, 71 pts.) with 21 seconds remaining. Aaro Vidgren (21), Todd Goehring (2), Baker Shore (21), and Jack Dugan (23) scored for the Steel (23-23-1-5, 52 pts.).

USA's Oliver Wahlstrom, who registered a goal and an assist in the second period, was the lone shooter to score in the shootout. Team USA netminder Spencer Knight finished with 40 saves.

The Steel scored the first three goals of the game and opened the scoring when Vidgren fired home his 11th power-play goal of the season. With Wahlstrom in the box for a high-sticking double minor just six seconds into the game, Vidgren guided a heavy wrist shot over Knight's glove.

The Steel doubled their lead with 5:42 to play in the opening frame. After opposing centers Eric Otto and Jack DeBoer tangled on the faceoff, Goehring found the loose puck just inside the right dot and found room for his wrist shot above Knight's glove.

Chicago made it a three-goal lead 49 seconds later when Shore flicked a quick wrist shot past Knight's blocker on a rebound off a Robert Mastrosimone shot.

Team USA answered back with a pair of goals in the second period to cut the deficit to one. Trevor Janicke, who found himself alone in the slot, sent a one-time wrist shot past the blocker of Steel goaltender Oskar Autio at the 11:32 mark. Wahlstrom then added the second USA goal of the second period 3:12 later when his shot found its way past Autio on an odd-man rush.

Dugan (1-1-2) got a goal of his own with 4:49 gone in the final frame, giving the Steel a 4-2 lead. The Vegas Golden Knights prospect stole the puck after a miscommunication between Team USA players and circled to the high slot where he fired wide but tipped his own end-wall rebound home for his team-leading 23rd goal of the season.

Team USA center Jonathan Gruden's deflection of a K'Andre Miller slap shot with 4:19 to play in the game pulled Team USA within one.

Knight left the ice for an extra attacker with 1:33 remaining. The Steel nearly scored an empty net goal but it went just wide. Farabee then found the last-minute equalizer, jamming in a ping-ponging puck from the slot past Autio's leg pads.

Autio left the game with 1:50 to play in overtime after Tyler Weiss picked up a major penalty and game misconduct for charging. Justin Robbins replaced Autio for the remainder of overtime and the shootout.

Robbins used the glove to deny 16-year-old phenom Jack Hughes' attempt in the first round of the shootout, but Wahlstrom's goal in the second round proved to be the difference as Knight set aside chances from Dugan, Blake McLaughlin, and Shore.

The Steel finished with one power-play goal on six attempts and held the USHL's best power-play unit to an 0-for-6 night. Chicago outshot Team USA 44-33, including 16-6 in the first and 4-1 in overtime.

The two teams rematch Saturday night (6:05 p.m. CT) in Plymouth before the Steel return home for a Steel Family Sunday on March 25 against Team USA's U17 team. Steel games are carried live on Mixlr (free audio) and HockeyTV (iPPV). For more information, visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com/broadcast.

Sunday's home game is Chicago's Celebration of Girls Hockey, featuring an appearance by USA women's hockey Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne. The Chicagoland native will be on hand to participate in a ceremonial puck drop, autograph session and in-game promotions. Puck drop is set for 3:05 p.m. and fans are invited to join the Steel on the ice for a post-game Skate with the Steel. The Steel Family Pack offer is available for the game when purchased in advance - four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas (or waters) and four chuck-a-pucks starting at just $48. For more 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 March 23, 2018


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