OAK FOREST, IL - The Chicago Crush Premier unit came into this past weekend’s series against their cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cougars, with something to prove. After a rocky stretch in December, the Crush were looking to reassert themselves as one of the top dogs in the USPHL. And boy, did they deliver. With a 4-0 shutout on Friday and a wild 7-5 barnburner on Sunday, the Crush not only swept the series but sent a clear message to the Cougars and the rest of the league: this is their town.
Game 1: Friday, January 3 – Chicago Crush Shut the Door, 4-0
The weekend kicked off with a statement game from the Crush, who put on a clinic in front of a packed house at Orbit Ice Arena. From the drop of the puck, it was clear that the Crush were dialed in. Jacob Rozanski set the tone early, burying his 10th of the season at 16:14 of the first period, assisted by Spencer Kauke and Krstan Dukic. That goal would stand as the game-winner, but the Crush were far from done.
The second period was an absolute masterclass in special teams and offensive execution. Rozanski struck again on the power play, rifling home his 11th of the year at 8:13. Just over two minutes later, DJ Long added to the lead with his 8th goal of the season, and Peter White capped off the period with another power-play marker, his 12th, at 15:28. The Crush’s power play was lethal, going 2-for-6, while their penalty kill was perfect, shutting down all three Cougars’ opportunities.
But the real story of the game was Lukas Janicina. The Crush netminder was a brick wall, turning aside all 28 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season. Janicina’s calm demeanor and timely saves kept the Cougars at bay, even as they tried to push back in the third period. The Cougars’ frustration boiled over, resulting in 35 penalty minutes, including a 10-minute disqualification for Brett Tumbrink and a bench misconduct. It was a disciplined, dominant performance from the Crush, and it set the stage for Sunday’s rematch.
Game 2: Sunday, January 5 – Crush Outlast Cougars in High-Scoring Affair, 7-5
If Friday’s game was a defensive clinic, Sunday’s was an offensive explosion. The Cougars came out swinging, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals from William Stornello and Alexander Musyakevych. But the Crush responded in a big way, scoring four unanswered goals to take control of the game.
Mac King got the Crush on the board with a power-play goal at 13:31, and Jace Levine tied it up just three minutes later. The second period was a rollercoaster, with the Crush scoring four more times, including two from Peter White and another from King. Spencer Kauke, who had a monster weekend with a goal and three assists on Sunday, added the insurance marker in the third period to seal the deal.
The Crush’s power play was once again the difference-maker, going 4-for-8, while their penalty kill held the Cougars scoreless on four opportunities. Jason Gongol and Cyler Brogle were also key contributors, with Gongol tallying a goal and two assists, and Brogle dishing out three helpers.
Despite the Cougars’ efforts, including a two-goal performance from Musyakevych and a late push in the third period, the Crush’s depth and special teams proved too much to handle. Janicina, while not as sharp as Friday, made 24 saves to secure his second win of the weekend.
Key Takeaways from the Series
Special Teams Dominance: The Crush’s power play was firing on all cylinders, going 6-for-14 over the two games. Meanwhile, their penalty kill was a perfect 7-for-7. In a league where special teams often decide games, the Crush have a clear edge.
Depth Scoring: While stars like Spencer Kauke, Peter White, and Mac King led the way, the Crush got contributions up and down the lineup. Jacob Rozanski, DJ Long, and Jace Levine all chipped in with key goals, showcasing the team’s offensive depth.
Janicina’s Steady Presence: Lukas Janicina was the backbone of the Crush’s success this weekend. His shutout on Friday set the tone, and his ability to weather the storm on Sunday was crucial in securing the sweep.
Looking Ahead
With the sweep, the Crush improve to 14-6-2-1 on the season, solidifying their position in the standings. They’ll look to build on this momentum as they head into a tough stretch of games.
One thing’s for sure: the Chicago hockey rivalry is alive and well, and the Crush have staked their claim as the city’s top team—for now. But in a league as competitive as the USPHL, there’s no time to rest on your laurels. The Crush know that better than anyone, and if this weekend was any indication, they’re ready for whatever comes next.
Player of the Weekend: Spencer Kauke (1 G, 4 A, +4)
Unsung Hero: Lukas Janicina (2 W, 52 saves, 1 SO)
Stat of the Weekend: The Crush scored 11 goals on 65 shots, a shooting percentage of 16.9%.
The Crush are back in action next weekend, and if this series was any indication, they’re just hitting their stride. Buckle up, folks—this team is heating up at the right time.
Catch all the Chicago Crush action live on FloHockey.tv!
Comments