General 3/29/2024 10:27:00 PM

Steel Fall in 5-4 Heartbreaker

Mick Thompson scores twice; Gamblers score winner with 8.9 seconds left

GREEN BAY, WI — Gamblers forward Michael DeAngelo scored the game winner with 8.9 seconds remaining in regulation and the Chicago Steel (25-25-3-4, 57 pts.) fell to the Green Bay Gamblers (33-16-5-2, 73 pts.) 5-4 at Resch Center Friday night.

In a game that featured four ties and six power play goals, Mick Thompson scored two goals and assist for the Steel, while Michael Emerson and Ben Yurchuk added scores.

Goaltender Quentin Sigurdson made 26 saves in defeat.

The opening frame was physical, with both teams throwing the body around early.

Late in the period, Chicago was assessed the first penalty of the game, and the Gamblers third ranked power play unit wasted no time scoring as Ryan Humphrey notched his ninth goal of the season.

The Steel hit back right away when a net side scramble offered a loose puck for Thompson who fired into the top of the cage to tie the game.

With just over two minutes left in the period, Green Bay went shorthanded, giving an opportunity to Chicago's power play unit.

After controlling the puck in the attacking zone, Chicago converted when Thompson fired a backdoor pass to Emerson who deflected it past Gamblers netminder Adam Gajan to give the Steel a 2-1 lead.

The second period began favoring the home team, as Green Bay took just 1:35 in the middle frame to tie the contest on Humphrey's second goal of the night.

Chicago went shorthanded 30 seconds after the tying goal, and the Gamblers' power play was again lethal.

Blake Bechen scored his 21^st goal of the season, a rocket from the slot that gave Green Bay a 3-2 advantage, its first lead of the night.

The Steel survived the push from the Gamblers and received another opportunity on the power play, as the special teams battle continued.

Michael Hage entered the offensive zone on the right wing and sent a pass to Yurchuk skating left to right. Yurchuk collected the pass and backhanded a shot past Gajan for Chicago's second PPG, tying the game at three.

Chicago was draped all over Green Bay in the final moments of the second period, sending shot after shot towards Gajan and rattling two off of the crossbar, but were unable to take the lead.

In a back-and-forth second period, Chicago outshot Green Bay 10-7.

The third period started with a bang, as Green Bay was once again assessed a penalty to give Chicago a fresh sheet of to work with.

A minute into the power play, Thompson stepped into high slot and released a gorgeous snipe past Gajan to give Chicago a 4-3 lead on its third power play goal of the game.

Green Bay went to a power play of its own midway through the frame and scored its third goal on the man advantage, a Geno Carcone tally to tie the game at four.

With the clock winding down in regulation, Green Bay made a final push and a point shot from Michael DeAngelo leaked through traffic and into the net to lift the Gamblers to a 5-4 win.

Chicago remains four points ahead of Cedar Rapids in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as the RoughRiders fell to Muskegon Friday. Each team has five regular season games remaining.

The two teams will meet again in Green Bay on Saturday, March 30 at 6:05 pm CT, the final regular season matchup between the teams.

The next home game for Chicago is Friday, April 5 at 7:05 pm CT, where the Steel will host 80's Night presented by Go Brewing with a Solar Eclipse Glasses Giveaway to the first 500 fans.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For a limited time, fans can take advantage of the team's Ticket Plan Madness promotion to receive free regular season and playoff games for this season plus other benefits when signing up for a new ticket plan for the 2024-2025 season. Ticket plans start at just 5 games for $50.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Saturday, March 30 at Green Bay Gamblers (6:05 pm CT)
Friday, April 5 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints (7:05 pm CT) | 80's Night presented by Go Brewing | Total Solar Eclipse Glasses Giveaway (first 500 fans)
Saturday, April 6 at Dubuque Fighting Saints (6:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

#14 Mick Thompson: F; 5' 8"; Harvard University

#19 Michael Hage: F; 6' 0"; Uncommitted

#26 Michael Emerson: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

#17 Ben Yurchuk: Forward; 5' 9"; Freshman; Northeastern University

Players Mentioned

#14 Mick Thompson
: 5' 8"; Harvard University
: F

#19 Michael Hage
: 6' 0"; Uncommitted
: F

#26 Michael Emerson
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F

#17 Ben Yurchuk
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Northeastern University
: Forward