OAK FOREST, IL - The Chicago Crush Elite rolled into USPHL Nationals with a chip on their shoulder, ready to trade leather with the best junior hockey had to offer. What followed was a gauntlet of high-stakes battles—some moral victories, some hard lessons—but above all, a proving ground for a squad that refused to back down.
Though the Crush didn’t advance beyond the Round Robin, the tape won’t lie: this team clawed, competed, and left Wayne with the kind of experience that forges contenders.
Game 1: Chicago Crush Fall to Islanders Hockey Club in Hard-Fought Battle (4-2 L)
The Crush opened Nationals against a powerhouse Islanders Hockey Club squad and showed flashes of brilliance despite the loss. Ilija Marich got Chicago on the board early with a snipe, and Dominic DeMatteo buried one late, but the Isles’ offensive depth and relentless forecheck proved too much. Johnny Augusta stood tall with 40 saves, but the Crush couldn’t solve Cole Kelly late to pull off the upset.
Key Takeaway: The Crush hung tough against a top-tier opponent, but discipline (8 PIM) and shot suppression (44-19 disadvantage) were areas needing tightening.
Game 2: Knights Overwhelm Crush in Lopsided Affair (7-1 L)
A brutal second period doomed the Crush against a relentless Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights squad. Connor Edwards notched his first of the tournament, but the Knights’ transition game and Sean Stewart’s two-goal, three-point night buried Chicago early. Daniel Gurtner and Augusta combined for 28 saves, but the Crush were outmuscled and outworked in the dirty areas.
Key Takeaway: The Knights exposed Chicago’s defensive-zone coverage—something the Crush will need to shore up before next season.
Game 3: Cyclones Outlast Crush in Special Teams Duel (4-2 L)
The Crush saved their best for last, pushing the Northern Cyclones in a tight, penalty-filled contest. Christopher Frachalla and Mikey Large (PPG) found the back of the net, but Chicago’s PK (3 GA on 4 opportunities) couldn’t contain Brady Stevens and Jackson Bulthaup’s playmaking. Augusta was stellar again (34 saves), but the Cyclones’ power play was the difference-maker.
Key Takeaway: Special teams lost this one. The Crush went 1-for-2 on the PP, but their PK—usually a strength—faltered at the worst time.
Coach Bushbacher’s Verdict: “This is the Standard Now”
Head Coach Phil Bushbacher didn’t sugarcoat it—but his pride was palpable:
"We didn’t come here for participation trophies. We came to measure ourselves against the best, and our guys didn’t blink. Johnny [Augusta] was a warrior, our leaders showed up, and every kid in that room now knows what it takes to win at this level. The margin? It’s thin. One less penalty, one more blocked shot, one extra second of compete—that’s the difference."
"Moving forward, we’ve got to get stronger, faster, and more disciplined. We saw what the top dogs do—they capitalize on mistakes, they bury their chances, and they don’t take shifts off. That’s the standard now. This tournament showed us where we need to be, and I have no doubt this group will put in the work to get back here next year and make some noise."
Final Thoughts
The Crush didn’t leave Nationals with a trophy, but they left with something just as important: a blueprint for growth. With a core of returning talent and the lessons learned from facing elite competition, this squad has the foundation to come back stronger.
This wasn't just a tournament - it was an education. The lessons learned in Wayne will fuel Chicago's climb toward next season. As Bushbacher put it while boarding the bus: "You don't get better by playing easy games. Our guys just got three masterclasses in what it takes. Now we go to work."
The road to next year’s Nationals starts now. And if Coach Bushbacher has anything to say about it, the Crush won’t just be participants next season—they’ll be hunters.