MOUNT CLEMENS, MI — The Chicago Crush Premier squad came out swinging in their first game of the Detroit Showcase, dismantling the Kingston Wranglers 11-1 in a masterclass of offense, defense, and special teams at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.
Early Onslaught Sets Tone for the Crush
The tone was set early, with Keith Watkins opening the scoring for Chicago at 6:18 of the first period, converting on a crisp feed from Ioannis Beldecos and William Kenny. Though Kingston’s Nathan Chung briefly knotted the score at 1-1 with a lone bright spot at 7:27, the Wranglers’ celebrations were short-lived.
Tyler Rentner netted the eventual game-winner at 9:01, and the floodgates burst wide open. Brody Luzbetak, DJ Long, and Peter White each added to the tally, giving the Crush a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the second period.
The Crush Dominate the Second Period
The middle frame belonged entirely to Chicago, as the team’s power play clicked early. William Kenny buried his first of the night at 5:22 on the man advantage, capping off a relentless attack. Peter White, Mac King, and DJ Long each struck, showcasing the Crush's depth and unyielding pressure. By the end of 40 minutes, Chicago held an insurmountable 8-1 lead, while outshooting Kingston 34-15.
Chicago Caps Off the Victory in the Third Period
The third period was no different, with Trevor Peterson, William Kenny, and Jacob Rozanski piling on three more goals to complete the rout. Rozanski’s short-handed effort at 19:30 was the final dagger in a game that saw Chicago dominate every facet of play.
Goaltender Patrick Johansen was steady between the pipes for the Crush, turning aside 19 of 20 shots to backstop his team to victory. Meanwhile, Kingston’s goaltending tandem of Aristidis Panoskaltsis and Joshua Bordeaux faced a barrage of 48 shots, with little help from a beleaguered defense.
Kenny’s four-point performance (2G, 2A) was bookended by Peter White (1G, 2A) and Keith Watkins (1G, 2A), while DJ Long and Trevor Peterson added three points apiece. The Crush’s balanced attack saw contributions from all four lines and defensive pairs. Chicago’s power play finished a lethal 1-for-2, while their penalty kill was perfect, including Rozanski’s short-handed gem.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Test Against Toledo
“We wanted to come out strong in this showcase, and the boys delivered,” said Head Coach Steve Maltais. “The energy, execution, and commitment to our systems were all there tonight. Now, it’s about carrying that momentum into the next game.”
The Crush (7-2-1-1) will face a much tougher opponent tomorrow, as they take on the high-powered Toledo Cherokee at 10:30 am EST. With the Cherokee boasting an explosive offense, Chicago will need to maintain this level of intensity to keep their winning ways alive in the showcase.
As for the Wranglers (0-20-0-0), they’ll hope to regroup and salvage some pride as the tournament progresses. With the Crush firing on all cylinders, the Detroit Showcase may be the perfect stage for Chicago to solidify their status as a Premier Division powerhouse.
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