BLAINE, Minn.- In a breathtaking Friday night showdown at Fogerty Ice House, the Chicago Crush Premier and the Minnesota Moose battled fiercely, with the Moose eventually coming out on top in overtime, winning 4-3. The Fogerty Ice House was electric, and fans were treated to a nail-biting contest that had it all - from stunning goals to amazing saves.
The Moose opened the scoring in the first period, with Clark netting a late goal at 19:11, putting Minnesota ahead 1-0. The Crush fought back valiantly in the second period, as Joey Gruber and Caden Day found the back of the net, turning the game around to lead 2-1. The intensity on the ice was matched only by the raucous cheers from the Chicago Crush faithful.
The third period saw both teams battling hard. The Moose capitalized on a power play opportunity, as Harrison's goal leveled the score at 2-2. The Crush's William Kenny responded with a go-ahead goal, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, the Moose wouldn't back down, and Mader tied the game up again at 3-3 with a little over a minute left in regulation.
As the game entered overtime, the tension in the arena was palpable. It was Sommers of the Moose who sealed the deal with a dramatic overtime goal at 4:39, securing the victory for Minnesota.
One of the standout performances of the night came from Chicago Crush goaltender Jack Sundhall. Facing an impressive 63 shots from the Moose, Sundhall made an incredible 59 saves, keeping his team in the game through regulation and giving them a fighting chance.
In the post-game locker room, Crush Winger William Kenny reflected on the game, saying, "We played a great hockey game dealing with a bunch of adversaries today. It's unfortunate about the ending, but I was happy the way these boys handled it and persevered." Kenny's words highlighted the resilience and fighting spirit of his team, even in the face of a tough loss.
Crush Defenseman Jason Castaneda echoed the sentiment, adding, "We fought hard the whole game, and even though we came up short, we are still proud of the effort." The Crush players may not have left the ice with a win, but they certainly left with their heads held high after a hard-fought battle.
The Chicago Crush and the Minnesota Moose delivered a game that will be remembered by fans for its intensity and dramatic twists. Though the outcome may not have favored the Crush, their dedication and spirit on display promise an exciting season ahead in the USPHL. The Crush Premier unit will finish up their trip to the USPHL Midwest Showcase in Blaine tomorrow evening as they take on the Minnesota Blue Ox at 5:00PM CDT. Make sure to catch all the excitement on FloHockey.tv!