FOUR-GOAL FIRST PERIOD SENDS CHICAGO UNION PAST RIVERKINGS, 5–1
LOCKPORT, Ill. — The Chicago Union wasted little time taking control Sunday night.
Four first-period goals established a commanding lead, and Chicago finished with a 5–1 victory over the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings at Summit Ice Center North.
Colin Murphy scored twice, Matsvei Hlyzin collected three assists and Kiryl Zamana stopped 23 of 24 shots. The Union outshot Wisconsin Rapids 39–24 and improved to 6–0–0.
GAME SNAPSHOT
Final: Chicago Union 5, Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings 1
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Location: Summit Ice Center North, Lockport, Illinois
Period scoring: Chicago 4–0–1; Wisconsin Rapids 0–1–0
Shots: Chicago 39, Wisconsin Rapids 24
Chicago goaltender: Kiryl Zamana, 23 saves on 24 shots
Game-winning scorer: Colin Murphy
Union record: 6–0–0
THE RECAP
Keishawn Thompson opened the scoring with 14:54 remaining in the first period, finishing a play assisted by Addison Noffsinger and Akseli Leppanen.
Chicago continued building its advantage as the period progressed.
Murphy made it 2–0 with 6:57 left, with Ilija Marich and JJ Mueller earning the assists. The goal ultimately stood as the game-winner.
Just 90 seconds later, Oleg Pukalo extended the lead to three. Hlyzin and Mikita Amelka supplied the assists, giving Chicago two goals in a short stretch and a firm grip on the scoreboard.
The Union added one more before the intermission. Amelka scored with 44.9 seconds remaining, assisted by Hlyzin, to make it 4–0.
Chicago finished the opening period with an 18–5 advantage in shots. Zamana stopped all five Wisconsin Rapids attempts, allowing the Union to carry their four-goal lead into the break.
The Riverkings answered early in the second period. Luka Svircic scored with 18:15 remaining, assisted by Zachary Stinski and Christian Smith, to cut the deficit to 4–1. That was the only shot Wisconsin Rapids would get past Zamana.
The Union held a 9–8 edge in second-period shots, and the score remained 4–1 entering the third.
Chicago then completed the scoring with 2:07 left in regulation. Murphy recorded his second goal of the night, with Ben Bakutis earning the assist.
Zamana stopped all 11 Riverkings shots in the final period to secure the victory. At the other end, Wisconsin Rapids goaltender Niksa Slade finished with 34 saves.
TURNING POINT
Murphy and Pukalo scored 90 seconds apart during the first period, turning Chicago’s one-goal advantage into a 3–0 lead.
That burst gave the Union separation before Amelka added another goal in the final minute of the period.
By the first intermission, Chicago had paired four goals with an 18–5 shot advantage. Wisconsin Rapids reduced the deficit in the second, but never moved closer than three goals.
UNION IMPACT PLAYERS
Colin Murphy | 2 goals
Murphy scored the eventual game-winner in the first period and added Chicago’s final goal late in the third.
Matsvei Hlyzin | 3 assists
Hlyzin assisted on Pukalo’s goal and Amelka’s goal during the first-period surge.
Correction: The official scoring sheet credits Hlyzin with assists on those two goals, for 2 assists.
Kiryl Zamana | 23 saves, .958 save percentage
Zamana allowed one goal on 24 shots and was perfect during the first and third periods.
Mikita Amelka | 1 goal, 1 assist
Amelka assisted on Pukalo’s goal before scoring Chicago’s fourth goal just before the first intermission.
Keishawn Thompson | Opening goal
Thompson put Chicago ahead early, starting the four-goal opening period.
Oleg Pukalo | 1 goal
Pukalo’s finish completed Chicago’s two-goal burst in 90 seconds and extended the lead to 3–0.
BY THE NUMBERS
* 4: Chicago goals in the first period
* 18–5: Union’s first-period shot advantage
* 39–24: Chicago’s overall shot advantage
* 2: Goals by Colin Murphy
* 2: Assists by Matsvei Hlyzin
* 23: Saves by Kiryl Zamana
* 90 seconds: Time between Murphy’s and Pukalo’s first-period goals
* 6–0–0: Union’s record through six reported games
WHAT IT MEANS
Chicago’s winning start now spans six games.
The Union have scored 29 goals while allowing 12, producing a plus-17 differential and 12 standings points.
Sunday’s result followed a four-goal third-period comeback against Hudson with a four-goal opening period against Wisconsin Rapids. This time, Chicago established its advantage early and protected it through the final 40 minutes.
Four different players scored, Murphy supplied two goals and Zamana limited the Riverkings to one.
UP NEXT
Chicago is listed to visit the Toledo Cherokee on Friday, October 9, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, followed by another matchup Saturday, October 10, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
Check the official league schedule before making travel plans.
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