A Cup Clincher
Published on March 30, 2008 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
The Omaha Lancers claimed the team's fifth Anderson Cup USHL regular season championship on Saturday, March 29th, with a 3-2 victory over the RoughRiders in Cedar Rapids.
Barry Almeida provided the game-winning heroics when he poked the puck away from a Cedar Rapids defenseman and scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal six and a half minutes into the third period for a 3-1 lead.
Cedar Rapids would answer with a power play goal from Matt Donovan later in the period, but could get no closer.
Joe Diamond opened the scoring for the Lancers in the first period, poking a loose puck into the net at the 15:55 mark, assisted by Matt Thurber. The goal was Diamond's 13th of the season.
The Lancers increased the lead to 2-0 on another "in the crease" play at the 4:30 mark of the second period, when Ben Arnt scored his 21st goal of the year, assisted by Aaron Lewadniuk and Nico Sacchetti.
Cedar Rapids got on the board when Casey Wellman scored his 20th of the year at 12:12 of the second period, making the second intermission score 2-1 for the Lancers.
But, Almeida then scored his unassisted, shorthanded goal to give Omaha back the two-goal lead and the need score for the eventual victory. The marker helped set a new team standard for shorthanded goals scored in a season with 14.
Cedar Rapids out shot the Lancers during the contest by a 34-24 margin. Drew Palmisano raised his season record to 31-8-3 with a 32-save performance. Brady Hjelle took the loss for Cedar Rapids, while stopping 21 shots on goal.
The Lancers were 0-for-5 on the power play, while Cedar Rapids went 1-for-11 with the extra man.
Next up, the final weekend of the regular season will have two home games, on Friday, April 4th against Sioux City, and Saturday, April 5th against Des Moines. Game time both nights will be at 7:05 PM. Broadcast coverage of both games with Bob Bakken on the call will be available on the Internet through the B2 Networks and the Lancers' web site at www.lancers.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2008
- Solid Sweep - Waterloo Black Hawks
- A Cup Clincher - Omaha Lancers
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