Rizzo Records Five Points as Chicago Crush Roll Past Gamblers 9–1
LOCKPORT, Ill. — September 30, 2026 — Giovanni Rizzo recorded a hat trick and five points Wednesday as the Chicago Crush Premier defeated Gamblers Hockey J18, 9–1, at Summit Ice Center North.
Chicago responded emphatically after allowing the opening goal. Jaroslav Hrablik put the Gamblers ahead just 14 seconds into the first of two 25-minute showcase periods, with Van Kitchen and Allen Armstrong assisting. From there, the Crush scored nine unanswered goals and directed 64 shots at Gamblers goaltender Richard Sullivan III.
Rizzo started the response on the power play with 11:24 remaining in the first period. Jack Martino and Hunter Pope earned the assists, beginning a five-goal period for Chicago.
The Crush then broke the game open with four goals during the final 3:27 of the first. Joseph Bledsoe made it 2–1 from Martino and Jason Peshenko. Eighteen seconds later, Peshenko scored with help from Martino and Jordan McKenna.
Rizzo added his second goal with 1:18 remaining, assisted by Anthony Wagner and Brandon Herschbach. Wagner completed the first-period scoring 24.8 seconds later, converting a feed from Rizzo to send Chicago into the intermission with a 5–1 lead.
Chicago maintained the pressure in the second period. Bledsoe scored his second goal with 17:09 remaining, assisted by Peshenko and Nathan Dazey. Rizzo completed his hat trick on the power play at 12:43, with Peshenko and Mikey Large collecting the assists.
Large scored Chicago’s eighth goal at 10:37 from Aidan Harrington and Blake Adolfino. Herschbach closed the scoring on another power play with 5:35 remaining, assisted by Rizzo and Martino.
Rizzo led the offense with three goals and two assists. Peshenko finished with one goal and three assists, while Martino recorded four assists.
Bledsoe scored twice, and Wagner, Large and Herschbach each contributed a goal and an assist.
The Crush finished 3-for-5 on the power play and killed the Gamblers’ only opportunity. Chicago also received strong work from both goaltenders. Daniel Federl stopped 36 of 37 shots and earned the regulation win, while Param Chawla turned aside all 11 shots he faced. Together, they made 47 saves on 48 shots.
Sullivan faced 47 Chicago shots in the first period and another 17 in the second, finishing with 55 saves.
The victory improved Chicago to 2-1-0-0 with four points and a .667 points percentage. Through three games, the Crush have scored 13 goals and allowed seven.
Chicago returns to Summit Ice Center South on Friday, October 2, for a 5:15 p.m. Central matchup against the Columbus Mavericks.
Nine unanswered goals, contributions throughout the lineup and a strong response after an early deficit: Goals. Grit. Guidance.
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