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Chicago falls in double overtime, trails Clark Cup Final 2–0

  
The Steel Deal: Chicago Splits Weekend
Robert Mastrosimone scored late in Game 2, but the Steel could not hold off the Stampede from taking a 2–0 series lead. (Photograph courtesy of Chicago Steel)

Sioux Falls 3, Chicago 2

The Chicago Steel fell behind after the Sioux Falls Stampede scored a pair of second period goals and could not score in the final seconds after the Stampede retook the lead, falling 3–2.

The Stampede controlled much of the first period as both teams appeared to a bit rusty after a few days off between the Conference Final and the Clark Cup Final. Sioux Falls outshot Chicago 10–4 in the first period, but neither team was able to find the back of the net in the period.

Sioux Falls forwards Carl Berglund and Andre Lee scored in the first seven minutes of the second period giving the Stampede a 2–0 lead.

At the 11:04 mark in the second period, Steel forward Josiah Slavin put the visitors on the board after beating Stampede goaltender Jaxson Stauber. The goal, assisted by forwards Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Mathieu De St. Phalle, was Slavin’s third goal of the postseason.

Chicago tied the score early in the third period when defenseman John Spetz beat Stauber with a blast from the point. The goal, assisted by defenseman Owen Power, gave Spetz three goals in the playoffs.

Stampede forward Jared Westcott scored with just under five minutes to play in the game to give the home team the 3–2 lead late in the game. Chicago put a ton of pressure on the Stampede but could not tie the game. With the victory, the Stampede took a 1–0 lead in the Clark Cup Final.

Sioux Falls 3, Chicago 2 (OT2)

After losing the first game of the Final, the Steel came out and scored the first goal of Game 2, but could not take back home-ice advantage after falling to Sioux Falls 3–2 in double overtime. The hard-fought game was an instant classic for USHL fans.

Fontaine continued his hot playoff scoring his sixth goal of the postseason. Forward Robert Mastrosimone and defenseman Uula Ruikka assisted on the play. The goal gave the Steel their first lead of the Clark Cup Final.

The Steel would outshoot the Stampede 12–6 in the second period, but the home team was the only team to score in the period when defenseman Max Crozier beat Steel goaltender Justin Robbins, at the 15:41 mark of the period. The Crozier goal was the Providence College commit’s fourth goal of the playoffs.

Mastrosimone took back the lead for the Steel with his seventh goal of the playoffs, beating Stauber blocker side on the power play. The goal was assisted by Fontaine.

The Stampede tied the game with just under three minutes left in the game when forward Sam Stevens beat Robbins with an unassisted goal, scoring off the draw as the referee dropped the puck.

Both teams would fend off chances throughout the first overtime, forcing a second overtime. At the 16:05 mark in the second overtime, Lee beat Robbins glove side for the 3–2 victory and a 2–0 lead in the Clark Cup Final.

 

 

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