FORT WAYNE, IN - The Chicago Crush Elite unit traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana, this past weekend for a two-game showdown against divisional rivals, the Fort Wayne Spacemen. The back-to-back contests at SportONE/Parkview Icehouse saw the Crush battling hard in two distinct storylines: a defensive struggle in Game 1 and a statement victory in Game 2.
Game 1: Fort Wayne Rallies for 3-1 Win
In Saturday’s opener, the Crush drew first blood early but couldn’t sustain their momentum, ultimately falling 3-1 to a disciplined Spacemen squad.
The Crush opened the scoring just past the 7-minute mark of the first period. Cole Darlas found the back of the net with a quick wrist shot from the high slot, assisted by Christopher Frachalla and Brandon Adolfino. It was Darlas' fourth goal of the season, and it gave Chicago a crucial early advantage.
The lead was short-lived as Fort Wayne began dictating the pace in the second period. Paul Hibbler equalized five minutes into the frame, sneaking a low shot past Crush netminder Daniel Gurtner. Late in the second, the Spacemen capitalized on defensive breakdowns. Alex Kryukov, left unchecked in the slot, rifled home what would stand as the game-winning goal with just 1:16 remaining in the period.
Despite facing a barrage of 35 shots, Gurtner stood tall in net, keeping Chicago within striking distance. However, the Spacemen added an insurance goal in the third period when Orlando Soergel buried a well-timed feed from Riley Murphy.
The Crush struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure, with only 24 shots on goal, and went 0-for-4 on the power play. Special teams woes compounded their inability to find the equalizer in the final frame.
Game 2: Chicago Crush Bounce Back with 4-1 Victory
Sunday’s rematch was a completely different story. The Crush responded with a gritty, physical performance, showcasing their depth and determination en route to a commanding 4-1 victory.
Fort Wayne struck first just 64 seconds into the game when Nicolas Cheeney capitalized on a defensive lapse to give the home side a quick lead. The Crush answered back swiftly, however, as Alex Guida knotted the score on a power-play goal midway through the first period. The play was set up beautifully by Ioannis Beldecos and Vincent Cerrentano, with Guida firing a laser into the top corner.
The second period saw the Crush seize control. Second year forward Christopher Frachalla broke the deadlock at the 10:48 mark, netting his first career goal on a slick setup from Logan Landmeier and goaltender Johnny Augusta. Frachalla’s tally proved to be the spark the team needed.
In the third period, Chicago locked things down defensively while adding to their lead late. Frachalla struck again with an empty-net goal at 18:58, followed by Guida’s second tally just 40 seconds later to seal the victory. Guida’s three-point performance (2 goals, 1 assist) was a standout effort, highlighting his pivotal role in the team’s offensive resurgence.
Goaltender Johnny Augusta was a rock between the pipes, stopping 40 of 41 shots and earning the win. Augusta’s poise under heavy fire, particularly during the Spacemen’s 13-shot second period, gave the Crush the confidence to press forward.
The game also featured its share of physicality, with a late-game brawl resulting in misconduct penalties for both teams. The Crush kept their composure, using their penalty kill to stifle Fort Wayne’s attack and close out the game.
Series Takeaways
• Goaltending Duel: Both games showcased excellent performances in net. Daniel Gurtner and Johnny Augusta combined for 72 saves across the series, underlining Chicago’s strong goaltending depth.
• Special Teams: The Crush finally found success on the power play in Game 2, going 1-for-3 after an 0-for-4 showing in the opener. Their penalty kill remained consistent, shutting down all five Fort Wayne opportunities over the weekend.
• Emerging Stars: Christopher Frachalla’s breakout performance in Game 2 adds another weapon to the Crush’s arsenal, while Alex Guida continues to deliver as one of the team’s top scorers.
Up Next
The Crush Elite hit the road again next weekend for a critical three-game series against the Motor City Gamblers in Detroit. With the Gamblers sitting a few spots behind Chicago in the division standings, this matchup carries significant playoff implications. The Crush will look to carry the momentum from their Game 2 win in Fort Wayne into Detroit, where they aim to improve their position in the standings and establish themselves as serious contenders in the Midwest Division. Fans can expect high-intensity hockey as these two rivals battle for crucial points in the playoff race.
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