FORT WAYNE, IN - The Chicago Crush Premier squad hit the road to Fort Wayne, Indiana, over the weekend, looking to make a statement against divisional rivals, the Fort Wayne Spacemen. However, despite a valiant effort, the Spacemen's high-octane offense proved too much for the Crush, who dropped both games of the series. Here's how the action unfolded:
Game 1: Spacemen Edge Out the Crush in a Shootout
Final Score: Spacemen 6, Crush 4
Shots on Goal: Spacemen 47, Crush 28
The opening game of the series was a back-and-forth affair, with the Crush jumping out to an early lead just 1:24 into the first period thanks to Mac King, who buried his fifth goal of the season off a crisp feed from Caden Day. However, the Spacemen responded with relentless offensive pressure, scoring twice before the end of the period.
The second frame saw both teams trading power-play goals, with Jason Gongol and Spencer Kauke leading the charge for Chicago, showcasing the Crush's ability to capitalize on man-advantage opportunities. Jacob Rozanski closed the period with a stunning wrister to bring the Crush within one.
But it was Fort Wayne's depth that shone through in the third. Jace Lacey notched the game-winner just three minutes in, and Broderik Burge added an insurance goal late to seal the 6-4 victory. Despite Lukas Janicina’s 41 saves, the Spacemen’s relentless 47-shot effort overwhelmed Chicago's defensive structure.
Game 2: Spacemen Dominate with Third-Period Barrage
Final Score: Spacemen 9, Crush 2
Shots on Goal: Spacemen 55, Crush 34
The Crush came out strong in the rematch, with Jacob Rozanski converting on the power play early in the first to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. Caden Day added another tally early in the second, extending his team-leading assist total to 13. However, the Spacemen roared back with three unanswered goals in the second period, flipping the script.
The third period was all Fort Wayne. They exploded for six goals, with Alexis Toussaint and Bogdan Vysotsky spearheading the attack. Toussaint’s four-point night (1G, 3A) and Vysotsky’s two-goal performance left Chicago’s defense scrambling. Meanwhile, goaltender Patrick Johansen faced a barrage of 55 shots, stopping 46 in a tough outing.
Bright Spots and Next Steps
While the results weren’t what the Crush hoped for, there were notable performances from key players:
• Caden Day (1G, 3A across two games) continues to be a reliable playmaker.
• Jacob Rozanski (2G, 2A) found his scoring touch, a promising sign as the season progresses.
• Mac King remains a steady offensive contributor with a goal & assist in Game 1.
The losses drop Chicago to an 8-5-2-1 record, as they now prepare for another challenging road series. Next stop: Detroit, Michigan, where the Crush will take on the Motor City Gamblers in a three-game set. With divisional pride on the line, expect the Crush to bring a renewed sense of urgency as they aim to bounce back.
Stay tuned, Crush fans—this team is ready to rise to the challenge! Catch all the action live on FloHockey.tv!
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