Third-Period Surge Lifts Chicago Crush Past MJDP, 4–2

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. — September 25, 2026 — The Chicago Crush Premier opened the 2026–27 season with a strong finish Friday afternoon, scoring three times in the third period to defeat MJDP 4–2 at Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

Jason Peshenko and Joshua Yeates supplied all four Chicago goals. Peshenko finished with two goals and an assist, Yeates scored twice, and goaltender Param Chawla stopped 32 of 34 shots to earn the victory. The Crush outshot MJDP 37–34 and converted one of two power-play opportunities while successfully killing their only penalty.

Chicago struck first with only eight seconds remaining in the opening period. Peshenko finished a setup from Hunter Pope at 19:52, giving the Crush a 1–0 lead heading into the first intermission.

MJDP answered in the second. Daniel Hanzal tied the game at 11:05 on assists from Aidan RaCosta and Ronald Lubbers. The teams entered the third period even at 1–1 after MJDP carried a 9–5 shot advantage during the middle frame.

The Crush changed the game quickly after the second intermission. Yeates restored Chicago’s lead just 2:03 into the third, converting a play created by Peshenko and Konstantin Yurkevich. MJDP responded at 6:14 when Grady Smith scored from Hanzal, bringing the game back to 2–2.

Chicago then delivered the decisive sequence. With MJDP’s Phillip Seibold serving a tripping minor, Yeates scored the game-winning power-play goal at 15:01. Yurkevich collected his second assist of the night, while Aidan Harrington added the secondary helper.

Peshenko provided insurance less than two minutes later. His second goal came at 16:56 from Pope and Jack Martino, extending the lead to 4–2 and completing his three-point performance.

The third period reflected Chicago’s strongest sustained offensive push. The Crush generated 24 shots over the final 20 minutes after recording 13 across the first two periods. MJDP produced 16 third-period shots of its own, but Chawla stopped 15 of them to protect the lead.

Yeates earned the official game-winning goal and finished with two goals on two recorded shots. Peshenko matched him with two goals on two shots and also assisted on Yeates’ first goal. Pope and Yurkevich each contributed two assists, giving the Crush four multi-point skaters in the season opener.

Jason Peshenko celebrates his first two USPHL goals with the Chicago Crush

At the other end, MJDP goaltender Theo Dull III stopped 33 of 37 shots. Hanzal led MJDP offensively with a goal and an assist.

The result moves Chicago to 1–0–0–0 with two points. The official league table listed the Crush ninth overall at verification, with Chicago among three Great Lakes teams holding two points during the opening days of the season.

The turnaround is immediate. Chicago returns to Mount Clemens Ice Arena on Saturday, September 26, for a 4 p.m. Eastern matchup against the Metro Jets. United States Premier Hockey League

One game, one road win, and a third-period response that matched the identity of the program: Goals. Grit. Guidance.