The Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) will be stuffed for a different reason this Thanksgiving as they prepare for three games in four days during the upcoming holiday weekend. Omaha (15-2, 30 Pts.) enters the week atop both the West Division and USHL standings and has now reeled off wins in 12 of its last 13 games overall. The Lancers return to action tomorrow evening at the Omaha Civic Auditorium as they welcome in the Waterloo Black Hawks. Waterloo (5-9, 10 Pts.) is currently tied with Team USA at the bottom of the East Division standings. Still, the Black Hawks enter the week having won three of their last five games overall including shutouts over Lincoln and Des Moines during that stretch. Omaha's holiday weekend then continues Thanksgiving day in Des Moines with a date with the Buccaneers. Des Moines (7-10-1, 15 Pts.) is tied with Sioux City for 5th in the West Division and enters the week having dropped six of its last nine games overall. The Buccaneers have surrendered the most goals-against of any team in the West (71) but have countered that with the division's third highest goals total (62). Des Moines' forward T.J. Tynan enters the week tied with Omaha's Matt White for the USHL lead in overall scoring with 29 points. After an off day Friday, Omaha's busy weekend concludes with its first meeting of the year with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Cedar Rapids (9-6-1, 19 Pts.) is tied for 3rd in the East Division with Indiana but has dropped five of its last seven games overall. The RoughRiders are just 3-5 this season at home but have posted a very impressive 6-1-1 record through 8 road tilts.Wednesday, November 25th vs. Waterloo Black Hawks, 7:05 PM, Omaha Civic Auditorium
Thursday, November 26th @ Des Moines Buccaneers, 7:05 PM, Des Moines Ice Arena
Saturday, November 28th @ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 7:05 PM, Cedar Rapids Ice Arena
**Radio coverage for all three games can be found on 1290 AM KKAR or www.1290kkar.com.**
NEWS & NOTES FOR THE WEEKEND
Lancers' defenseman CJ Ludwig was named Tuesday as the CCM Defensive Player of the Week after posting 2 power play goals and an assist in a pair of Omaha victories this past weekend. Ludwig is the 3rd Lancer this season to be recognized in the USHL's weekly honors.
Lancers' forward Matt White is currently in the midst of the USHL's longest points streak having registered at least one point in each of his last 13 games overall. During that stretch, the 3rd-year Lancer from Whittier, California has registered 11 goals, 18 assists and 29 points. White has also tallied 8 multi-point games during his current run.
Lancers' forward Dakota Eveland has certainly made his goals count this season. The 3rd-year Lancer from Anaheim, California is currently tied for the league lead with 4 game-winning goals this season and four of Eveland's last five goals overall have been game-winners.
Omaha has registered at least one power play goal in each of its last 15 games overall. The Lancers power play currently ranks 2nd among all USHL teams at 24.3% while registering the league's highest number of power play goals (25).
Omaha's penalty kill has been razor sharp over the last seven games having allowed just three power play goals against during that stretch. Thanks to a 91% PK efficiency rating over the last seven contests Omaha's penalty kill on the season now ranks 5th among all USHL clubs at 82.9%.
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