OAK FOREST, IL - The Chicago Crush Premier are firing on all cylinders as they head into the postseason, capping off the regular season with a commanding two-game sweep of their Midwest divisional and cross-town rivals, the Chicago Cougars. The Crush outscored the Cougars 10-3 over the series, showcasing their depth, discipline, and offensive firepower. With four straight wins to close out the regular season, the Crush are peaking at the perfect time.
Game 1: Chicago Crush 5, Cougars 2 – A Statement Win
The Crush came out swinging in the first game of the series, setting the tone early with a pair of first-period goals. Tyler Rentner opened the scoring just 3:14 into the game, burying a feed from Jace Levine and William Kenny. The Cougars responded with a goal from Alexander Musyakevych, but Jason Gongol restored the Crush lead with a snipe in the final seconds of the period, assisted by Mac King and Jacob Rozanski.
The second period was a defensive grind, but Rozanski broke through with a goal at 6:15, set up by King and Gongol. The Cougars tried to claw back in the third with a goal from Brandon Behnke, but the Crush shut the door with two late goals. Rozanski netted his second of the night on the power play, and Xavier Othon capped it off with his first goal of the season, sending the West Meadows Ice Arena into a frenzy.
Aidan Wysoglad was solid between the pipes, stopping 22 of 24 shots, while the Crush penalty kill was flawless, shutting down all five Cougars power plays. The game wasn’t without its fireworks, though, as Krstan Dukic and Luke Zabriskie dropped the gloves in a heated third-period scrap that resulted in game misconducts for both players.
Head Coach Steve Maltais on the win: “You know, it wasn’t pretty at times, but the boys battled hard. Rozanski was a horse out there, and Wysoglad made the saves when we needed ‘em. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but this was a good start. Just gotta keep grinding.”
Game 2: Crush 5, Cougars 1 – Long’s Hat Trick Seals the Deal
The Crush picked up right where they left off in Game 2, with DJ Long stealing the show. Long opened the scoring just 5:56 into the first period, finishing a slick passing play from Jason Gongol and Brody Luzbetak. Jacob Rozanski added another goal later in the period, assisted by Spencer Kauke, to give the Crush a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The second period was all Crush, as Rozanski netted his second of the game and Long added another to extend the lead to 4-0. The Cougars finally got on the board early in the third with a goal from Zachary Halling, but Long completed his hat trick midway through the period, sealing the 5-1 victory.
Patrick Johansen was stellar in net, turning aside 19 of 20 shots, while the Crush penalty kill once again held firm, killing off both Cougars power plays. Gongol continued his stellar playmaking with three assists, and Mac King added two more helpers to his season total.
Head Coach Steve Maltais on the series sweep: “DJ Long? Kid’s got hands like a surgeon. But honestly, it’s not about one guy. Everyone chipped in, and that’s what we need. Johansen stood tall, the D kept it simple, and we got pucks deep. It’s not rocket science—just hard work and doing the little things right.”
Key Takeaways from the Series
Jacob Rozanski’s Breakout Performance: Rozanski was a force in both games, tallying four goals and an assist. His ability to finish in tight spaces and his chemistry with linemates Mac King and Jason Gongol make him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Depth Scoring Shines:While Rozanski and Long stole the headlines, the Crush got contributions up and down the lineup. Xavier Othon’s first goal of the season in Game 1 was a highlight, and the defense chipped in with key assists.
Special Teams Dominance:The Crush penalty kill was perfect in the series, shutting down all seven Cougars power plays. Meanwhile, the power play converted on one of three opportunities, including Rozanski’s insurance goal in Game 1.
Goaltending Excellence:Both Aidan Wysoglad and Patrick Johansen delivered strong performances, giving the Crush the confidence they need heading into the playoffs.
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs
The Crush finish the regular season with a 29-11-3-1 record, good for second place in the Midwest Division. Their four-game winning streak has them riding high, and their dominance over the Cougars (6-1-0-0 in the season series) sends a clear message to the rest of the league: the Crush are a legitimate contender.
As Coach Maltais put it: “We’re not fancy, and we don’t need to be. We’ve got a group of guys who work their tails off and play for each other. The playoffs are a different animal, but we’ll be ready. One shift at a time, one game at a time. That’s how we do it.”
The playoffs are here, and if this series was any indication, the Crush are locked, loaded, and ready to bring the thunder. Buckle up, Chicago—this is going to be a fun ride. Catch all the Chicago Crush action live on FloHockey.tv!
Comments