Chicago Steel get big win over Team USA
PLYMOUTH, MICHIGAN - A four-goal outburst in the first period set the tone for a season-high eight-goal outing by the Chicago Steel (21-5-1-3) in an 8-3 thumping of Team USA (9-14-1-1, 20 pts.) Friday at USA Hockey Arena. Mitch Lewandowski recorded a career-high four-point night, while four other Steel players registered multiple points. Chicago wraps up the first half of the 2016-2017 season with a league-high 46 points out of a potential 60.
Chicago opened the scoring when Jesper Kokkila's point shot was directed into the net by Austen Long at 6:07. Just a few minutes later, Brannon McManus recorded his second goal with the Steel, burying a shot from the bottom of the right circle past USA netminder Erik Gordon at 9:42. Things kept rolling for the Steel, as Chicago increased its lead to 3-0 thanks to a beautiful move at the top of the crease by Johnny Walker, who scored his team-leading 15th goal of the season with a backhanded effort past Gordon's stick side. The Steel then converted on their first power play opportunity of the game; Jack Badini fired a shot from the low slot at 13:51.
Team USA got on the board before the intermission when Joel Farabee beat Chicago netminder Ales Stezka on the blocker side. Chicago held a three-goal lead at the first intermission thanks to four goals on seven shots. Team USA registered five shots on goal in the frame.
Farabee registered the lone goal of the second period, tallying his second unanswered marker off a one-timer from Oliver Wahlstrom at 1:00. Chicago outshot Team USA, 10-5, in the second period.
The Steel came out strong to start the third period when defender Alec Regula notched his first career USHL goal with a shot from the right-wing circle that went past the blocker side of Gordon at 1:52.
Team USA answered back quickly when Mattias Samuelsson buried one home from the left point at 3:26. But the Steel came back with even more momentum when McManus dropped off a pass to Mitch Lewandowski, who placed a shot over the shoulder of Gordon from the left circle at 5:25.
The Steel were not done yet, as the team cashed in on two more power play opportunities. The game's final two goals were scored in identical fashion, with Reggie Lutz completing cross-ice one-timers from Walker Duehr at 12:59 and 15:58, earning Chicago its first five-goal victory of the season.
The Steel had a near-perfect night on special teams, only failing to convert on one abbreviated power play chance at the end of the game, while also going 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Stezka celebrated his 20th birthday with his 12th win of the season, making 14 saves