In Relief, Quale Leads Tri-City Past Lancers 3-2
Published on December 29, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Ralston, Neb. - Justin Quale registered 19 saves in his USHL debut as the Tri-City Storm outlasted the Omaha Lancers 3-2 Saturday evening in front of 3,765 fans at Ralston Arena. Following the setback, Omaha moved to 16-13 on the year but remains in sole possession of fifth place in the Western Conference with 32 standings points. The loss snapped a four-game home winning streak for the Lancers who have dropped just two of their last nine games at Ralston Arena.
Tri-City opened the scoring six and a half minutes into the opening period when Jared Linnell threw a wrist shot from below the goal line that deflected off traffic atop the goal crease before rolling over the goal line. Dylan Maller and Trevor Mingoia assisted on Linnell's sixth goal of the season netted 6:28 into the first period. The even strength strike marked the 13th time in 29 games this season that Omaha has surrendered the game's opening goal. The Storm doubled their lead a little over nine minutes later when Garrett Cecere lifted a knuckling, bouncing shot from atop the blue line that found daylight between the pads of Lancers goaltender Alex Lyon. The five-on-five tally came 15:49 into the opening period and was Cecere's second goal of the year. Omaha rebounded instantly though and trimmed the deficit in half less than a minute later when Connor Chatham won a battle for a loose puck within the Tri-City goal crease before banging in his team-leading 10th goal of the season. Jake Randolph and Dominic Racobaldo assisted on the even strength goal scored 16:23 into the opening period of play, which coincided with an injury to Storm starting goaltender Johan Mattsson forcing Quale into action.
The Lancers evened the contest just past the midway point of the second period when Drew Melanson expertly redirected Ryan Tait's centering pass up and under the crossbar for his fifth goal of the season. Matias Cleland garnered the secondary assist on the five-on-five goal scored 10:57 into the middle stanza.
Tri-City reclaimed the lead for good though less than two minutes into the third period when John Hrabovsky lifted a left point slap shot through traffic and past Lyon for his third goal of the season. Trevor Moore and Tim Bonner assisted on the eventual game-winning goal notched 1:58 into the final frame.
Quale earned the victory in goal after 19 saves on 20 Lancers shots. Mattsson registered a no-decision after 10 saves on 11 first period shots. Meanwhile, Lyon suffered the loss for Omaha despite 27 saves on 30 shots. The setback snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the veteran goaltender who lost for just the second time in his last 11 appearances.
The Lancers are back in action this Monday evening when the team heads to Sioux City for a New Year's Eve clash with the Musketeers.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2012
- In Relief, Quale Leads Tri-City Past Lancers 3-2 - Omaha Lancers
- Steel Down Saints in Overtime, 3-2 Saturday Night - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Ice streak snapped - Indiana Ice
- Lumberjacks Fall Short in Green Bay 3-2 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Clips Ontario in Shootout, 6-5, at 2013 World U17 Challenge - U.S. National Team
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
