Men's Ice Hockey 10/3/2026 10:26:00 PM Calvin Bush

Steel Earn Point in USG Arena Opener

Strom scores with empty net but Green Bay tops Chicago in overtime

CHICAGO, IL — In front of a sellout crowd in the team's first official home game in Chicago, Cade Strom scored late in the third period for Chicago to force overtime, but Holden Pajor tallied the game-winner in overtime to lift the Green Bay Gamblers (1-2-0-0, 0 pts.) over the Chicago Steel (2-1-1-0, 5 pts.) 2-1 at USG Arena Saturday night.

Strom's first goal of the season came at 18:09 of the third and with an extra attacker on for Chicago. Goaltender Alex Wang stopped 23 of 25 shots in defeat.

Chicago had the best chance of the opening period after a pileup around the crease opened Jack Mahley for a follow-up opportunity on a loose puck. Mahley lifted a rising shot on goal that was shouldered down by Gamblers goaltender Joey Slavick.

A ten-man scrum ensued after the whistle, and Chicago was issued a penalty, sending Green Bay to its second power play of the period.

Chicago created a shorthanded two-on-one chance on the ensuing faceoff, but the puck tumbled off Leland Dulac's stick as he deked, negating the opportunity.

The Steel killed the penalty and went to their first power play with just under four minutes remaining but couldn't find the opening score.

The Chicago-Green Bay rivalry escalated in the first 20 minutes when another skirmish developed after the end-of-period horn.

Green Bay was the only team penalized out of the ruckus, giving Chicago two minutes of fresh ice on the power play to start the second period.

The Steel started the advantage with time in the attacking zone but couldn't find twine, keeping the game scoreless.

After successfully killing their penalty, the Gamblers got on the board when Milan Kutsevich scored his first USHL goal, putting Green Bay up 1-0.

For the second straight night, Chicago was whistled for a five-minute major penalty shortly after the goal. This night, the Steel stood strong and came up with a timely kill to stay within one.

Chicago applied pressure late when Max Dessner created space and got a breakaway at the midway mark of the period, but Slavick made a pad stop to maintain the Gamblers lead.

The Steel had their second chance at scoring on the man advantage later in the period. Instead, it was Green Bay's Rowen Sang who skated in on a shorthanded breakaway, but Wang made a sliding stop.

Shots favored the Steel 19-18 heading to the third.

Green Bay kept its lead for most of the third period until the Steel pulled Wang for an extra man with two minutes left.

Seconds after getting their sixth skater on, Strom stepped into a shot from the right circle that whistled past the left ear of Slavick to tie the game at 1-1.

The contest reached overtime, and Green Bay called game at 3:13 when Pajor rifled a snap shot past Wang to get the second point.

Chicago will host a pair of games next weekend including 0K Night in honor of the Chicago Marathon on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:00 pm. Fans can purchase a special ticket offer that includes a ticket to the game, a special 0K t-shirt, and a select beverage for $35. The Steel will conclude the weekend on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 3:00 pm for Ogre Day in celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the hit DreamWorks movie Shrek.

Oct. 10 is the first Family Pack game of the season. Fans can enjoy the ultimate family outing for just $25 per guest with a White Zone ticket, food and beverage, chuck-a-puck, and Blackhawks Ice Center Public Skate Pass and Skate Rental for four or more guests. Visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com to learn more.

Single-game, group, and premium seating tickets for the 2026-2027 season are on sale now. Season tickets are also available and start at just $15 per game.

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

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule:
Friday, October 9 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (7:00 pm CT) | 0K Night in Honor of the Chicago Marathon
Saturday, October 10 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks (3:00 pm CT) Ogre Day | Celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of the movie Shrek | Steel Family Pack Game
Saturday, October 17 at Madison Capitols (6:05 pm CT)

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