Lancers Defeat Lincoln 6-3 to Move into First Place
Published on January 14, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha, Neb. - Casey Bailey recorded two goals and an assist while Nolan Zajac added a goal and an assist as the Omaha Lancers doubled up the Lincoln Stars 6-3 Saturday evening in front of 4,332 fans at the Lincoln IceBox. With the win, Omaha improved to 20-10-2 and vaulted into sole possession atop the Western Conference with 42 standings points. The Lancers have now won five straight games and 11 of the team's last 13 overall.
Omaha grabbed the game's opening goal and the only goal of the first period when Dominick Sacco's wrist shot from the high slot was redirected by Ken Babinski for his sixth goal of the season. Ben Ostlie earned the secondary assist on the five-on-five even strength tally notched 6:08 into period one. The goal marked the 16th time in 32 games this season that the Lancers have scored the game's first goal.
Omaha doubled its lead just prior to the midway point of the second period when, while on the power play, Casey Bailey redirected Nolan Zajac's slap shot from the high slot for his 15th goal of the season. Kenney Morrison grabbed the secondary assist on the man-advantage marker netted 9:07 into the middle stanza.
Lincoln sliced Omaha's lead in half early in the third period when Kevin Roy netted his league-leading 27th goal of the season just 32 seconds into the final period of regulation. The Lancers were quick to respond though and reestablished their two-goal lead less than two minutes later when Max Vallis swatted home his 10th goal of the season and fourth of the weekend 2:04 into the third period. The Stars answered right back and climbed back to within a single goal just 14 seconds later when Markus McCrea won a battle for a loose puck in the Omaha goal crease before depositing his fifth goal of the year. The Lancers quickly countered again though and produced a 4-2 advantage less than a minute later when Zajac orchestrated a coast-to-coast highlight reel goal for his fourth conversion of the season. Bailey earned the only assist on the even strength marker that came 3:09 into a frenetic third period. Lincoln remained resilient though and trimmed Omaha's lead in half once again as Jared Hanson cleaned up a rebound on the left wing 6:47 into the final period for his 15th goal of the season. That's as close as the Stars would get though as Omaha landed the final two goals of the game to pull away with a 6-3 victory. First, Bailey scored his second goal of the game and team-leading 16th marker of the year 17:32 into the final period. Then, with Lincoln goaltender Jackson Teichroeb back to the bench in favor of the extra attacker, Mark Miller found the empty Stars cage for his fifth goal of the season.
Alex Lyon earned the victory in goal for Omaha after 31 saves on 34 Stars shots. With the win, Lyon improved to 15-8-2 on the year and has now won nine of his last 11 starts. Meanwhile, Teichroeb suffered the loss for Lincoln after just 17 saves on 22 Lancers shots.
The Lancers are back in action next Friday evening when they welcome the Sioux City Musketeers to the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 14, 2012
- Despite 'Desperate' Third Period, Phantoms Fall to Team USA 6-4 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Stampede Stunned by Dubuque in Final Minutes - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Fighting Saints Rally for Four Goals Late in Third, Win 4-1 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lancers Defeat Lincoln 6-3 to Move into First Place - Omaha Lancers
- Gamblers Push Past Lumberjacks 6-4 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Fighting Saints Close out First Half of Season Tonight in Sioux Falls - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm Allow Eight Goals to Fargo, Lose 8-1 - Tri-City Storm
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