NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Omaha Lancers

Second Period Surge Pushes Lancers 5-1 Past Des Moines

March 1, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


Ralston, Neb. - Tucker Poolman scored two goals and the Omaha Lancers netted four tallies in the second period Friday evening en route to a 5-1 victory over the Des Moines Buccaneers in front of 3,083 fans at Ralston Arena. With the win, Omaha improved to 30-21 overall this season and earned its fourth straight triumph head-to-head against Des Moines. The win coupled with Lincoln's loss in Fargo moved the Lancers into sole possession of fourth place in the Western Conference with 60 standings points.

After a predominantly scoreless first period, Des Moines landed the game's opening conversion with less than a minute and a half remaining in the period when Danny Elser won a battle for a loose puck atop the goal crease before punching in his 10th goal of the season. Ryan Galt and Axel Wemmenborn assisted on the even strength strike netted 18:37 into the opening frame. The goal marked just the 23rd time in 51 games this season that the Lancers have surrendered the game's first goal. Omaha improved to 9-14 when allowing the game's first goal this year.

The Lancers evened the contest early in the second period when, in the midst of a five minute major penalty to Omaha's Shane Gersich, Robbie Baillargeon orchestrated a tremendous individual effort on the left wing before finishing his team-leading 17th goal of the season. In his Lancers debut, Jimmy Schuldt garnered the only assist on Omaha's fourth shorthanded goal this season. The Lancers then grabbed their first lead of the night a little over eight minutes into the period when Poolman fired in his 11th goal of the season with a snap shot from the right point. Ryan Tait and Drew Melanson assisted on the five-on-five marker scored 8:04 into the middle frame. Omaha doubled its advantage less than a minute later when, while on the power play, Poolman threw in his second goal of the game and 12th of the year. Jake Randolph and Matias Cleland assisted on Poolman's league-leading 11th man-advantage marker scored this season. The Lancers are now 22-7 this year when converting a power play goal. Omaha then completed its second period offensive onslaught in the final minute of the frame when Melanson won a battle for a loose puck in the crease before sending in his 10th goal of the season. Tait and Cleland assisted on the even strength strike netted 19:09 into the second stanza.

The Lancers then added one final insurance marker in the opening minute of the third period when a perfectly executed two-on-one between Luca Frigo and Tyler Hynes resulted in Frigo's ninth goal of the year. Tyler Moy garnered the secondary assist on the five-on-five conversion just 38 seconds into the final frame.

Lancers goaltender Alex Lyon earned the victory in net after 28 saves on 29 Buccaneers' shots. Making his 15th start in Omaha's last 17 games overall, Lyon is now 23-15 overall this season and 2-1 against Des Moines. Meanwhile, Buccaneers' goaltender Billy Christopoulos suffered the loss after just 15 saves on 20 Lancers' shots. Pulled after the fifth Omaha goal of the game, Christopoulos is now 10-18 overall this season and 0-2 against the Lancers. Nick Ellis registered five saves on five shots in relief.

The Lancers are back in action tomorrow evening when they head to the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City for a 7:05 PM clash with the Musketeers.

Check out the Omaha Lancers Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...

United States Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2013


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.

Other Recent Omaha Lancers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central