Men's Ice Hockey 10/23/2026 10:59:00 PM Calvin Bush

Steel Score Four Unanswered Goals to Top Phantoms in Overtime Win

Kurtz scores shorthanded overtime goal as Steel erase three-goal deficit

CHICAGO, IL — Trailing 6-3 heading to the third period, the Steel scored three straight goals to tie the game before Jayden Kurtz scored a shorthanded goal 56 seconds into overtime as Chicago (5-2-1-0, 11 pts.) downed the Youngstown Phantoms (3-6-1-0, 7 pts.) 7-6 at USG Arena Friday night.

Chicago outshot the Phantoms 20-3 in the third period, its most shots in a period this season, en route to its third consecutive win at USG Arena. Youngstown took six straight penalties in the final frame to aid the Steel.

Leland Dulac opened the scoring with his first USHL goal in the opening period. Patrick Tolan added a crucial goal with seconds left in the frame to tie the game. MJ Campbell scored his third and fourth goals in the second and third periods. Nolan Shorter potted his third goal and Dallas Vieau scored his second in the third period. Kurtz's goal was his first of the season.

Chicago has now recorded a point in each of its six games played at USG Arena and has scored at least five goals in three straight home games.

The Phantoms attempted to take control of the contest with a tally at 2:02 after a point shot from Wilhelm Hasselhuhn ramped off Houdek's glove to give Youngstown a 1-0 lead.

Chicago was a strap of leather away from tying the game when MJ Campbell sent a backdoor pass to Harrison Smith, but Youngstown goaltender Owen Lepak stretched to his right and robbed Smith of a goal with his right pad.

Youngstown added another tally three minutes later, capitalizing on a turnover at the Steel blue line. Nikita Koltsov skated to the net and drew in two defenders before dropping a pass to Alexander Svitov, who fired low past Houdek to make it 2-0.

The Steel went shorthanded shortly after the goal but killed the penalty and went to their first power play in the same sequence.

Chicago couldn't find the back of the net on its man advantage, but broke through just as it expired when Dallas Vieau found Dulac who ripped a shot off the crossbar and in from between the circles, making it 2-1.

The Phantoms nearly got their two-goal lead back on a breakaway chance, but Houdek made a timely stop to maintain the one-goal deficit.

With under one minute left in the period, Youngstown again had a chance to go up two goals when Oliver Raimovaaraj had an open look at the left circle, but the puck tumbled off his stick when he deked to the net.

The Steel got a massive shorthanded goal with just two seconds left in the period to tie the game at 2-2. Chicago cleared its zone and Tolan collected and skated down the left wing before winding up for a snap shot. Instead, the puck left his stick without leaving the ice, slowly sliding past a powerless Lepak who was not expecting the off-speed pitch.

Youngstown led 16-11 in shots after the first period.

The Phantoms had power play time remaining entering the second period and converted when Jesse Orlowsky ripped a perfect shot from the left circle over the glove of Houdek to give Youngstown a 3-2 lead.

The road team went to its third power play of the night soon after, and Chicago nearly scored its second shorthanded tally of the night, but the officials waved off the goal for a hand pass. The Steel successfully killed the penalty to stay within a score.

Following a Steel turnover in the Phantoms zone, Lukas Zajic skated down the right wing on a 2-on-1 and fired bar-down to extend the Youngstown lead to 4-2.

Two minutes later, Youngstown scored on its fourth power play of the night when Koltsov cranked a one-timer past Houdek, making it 5-2.

The Steel went to the man advantage 30 seconds after the goal, and Campbell got one back after a shot leaked through Lepak to make it 5-3.

Chicago stayed within two for a stretch, but Youngstown got its three-goal lead back when Alexander Svitov scored the second power play goal for the Phantoms, giving them a four-goal second period and a 6-3 advantage.

Shots continued to favor Youngstown 28-19 heading to the third.

Nolan Shorter started Chicago's third-period comeback after ripping a one-timer off a feed from Benson Grande to make it 6-4.

With the Steel on a power play, Vieau tapped home a rebound to the left of Lepak to bring Chicago within one, 6-5, with 6:14 remaining.

Just one minute later while on a 5-on-3 advantage, Campbell scored his second goal of the game to tie it at 6-6.

A Steel penalty was called with under one minute left in regulation, giving Youngstown a power play to start overtime.

The Phantoms set up in the Chicago zone, but Kurtz blocked a shot and started the other way, striding past a Youngstown defender to set up a breakaway and shooting under Lepak's right pad for the game-winner 56 seconds into the extra session.

The Steel will finish the weekend against Youngstown and host Hat Trick or Treat with a Pre-Game Trick or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6:00 pm. Fans can stay after the game for Full Team Post-Game Autographs.

Single-game, group, and premium seating tickets for the 2026-2027 season are on sale now. Season tickets plans are also available starting at just 5 games.

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

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule:
Saturday, October 24 vs. Youngstown Phantoms (6:00 pm CT) | Hat Trick or Treat | Pre-Game Trick or Treat | Full Team Post-Game Autographs
Friday, October 30 at Tri-City Storm (7:05 pm CT)
Saturday, October 31 at Tri-City Storm (6:05 pm CT)

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