Chicago Falls In Their Second Overtime Game This Season

Story By: Steve Jankowski
Bensenville (November 21, 2008) - The Chicago Steel and Omaha Lancers worked overtime, but it was the visiting Lancers who got the victory, 5-4 at the Edge Ice Arena Friday night. 

The first period was all Lancers, as they raced out to a three-goal lead in the first half of the opening period.   

Omaha's Jake Hauswirth opened the scoring five and a half minutes into the game with a wrist shot that beat Chicago goalie Hudson Stremmel blocker side.  His 11th goal of the year momentarily tied him with Chicago's Eric Alexander for the league lead. 

Less than a minute later, Tye Lewis extended Omaha's lead to two on a wrist shot from the left circle. 

The Lancers would use a man-advantage to make the lead three goals when Seth Ambroz stuffed a rebound past Stremmel at the 9:22 mark of the first period. 

They seemed to put the game away skating four aside with three and a half minutes left in the opening period when Ben Arnt slipped the puck past Stremmel to give Omaha a four-goal lead after the first 20 minutes. 

Chicago came out firing in the second period, outshooting the Lancers 17-4 in the second period.  Their comeback bid got underway when Dean Chelios stole the puck from Omaha, and found Max Nicastro (Boston University) in the slot for his third goal this season.  

Five minutes later, the Lancers were unable to clear their defensive zone, and Eric Alexander (Ferris State) and Andrew Miller (Yale University) skated in on a 2-on-1, and Alexander fed Miller to cut the Omaha lead in half.  The goal momentarily tied him with Alexander and Omaha's Hauswirth for the league lead in goals at 11. 

Midway through the third, Brett Beebe (Western Michigan University) scored his first goal with the Steel by batting the puck out of the air. 

Less than five minutes later, while on the power play, Eric Alexander regained the league lead in goals, and tied the game at four by stuffing a rebound past Omaha goalie Jeff Teglia. 

Chicago nearly took the lead with two and a half minutes left in regulation, but Rob Linsmayer's shot hit the goalpost and stayed out.  The play was reviewed after the goal judge initially turned the goal light on, but was ruled no goal. 

In overtime, Omaha's Patrick Mullane scored the game-winner, picking up a loose puck and sliding it past Stremmel. 

The Steel return to action Saturday night, November 22nd at the Edge Ice Arena against the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets can be ordered by calling 630.594.1165.