USHL Tri-City Storm

Plenty on the Line as Storm Enter Final Weekend

Published on April 10, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


KEARNEY, Neb. - The 2012-13 USHL season will come to an end for the Tri-City Storm this weekend, but not before they do battle with the Lincoln Stars in a home-and-home series on Friday and Saturday night.

Tri-City hasn't fared too well with the Stars this season, but will have a chance to end their campaign on a high note. Friday's matchup will be at the IceBox in Lincoln and the Storm will complete their 64-game schedule in Kearney on Saturday night.

But this weekend isn't just about the in-state rivalry for Tri-City. It will also be the final chance for some Storm veterans to cement themselves in the team record books.

The skater with the most to play for in his final two games is team captain Brian Ward. A native of Haverhill, Mass. who joined the team in the fall of 2010, Ward will complete his third campaign with the Storm this weekend.

The first line center currently ranks in the top-20 all-time in every statistical category. Assuming he plays in both contests this weekend, Ward will finish with 122 games played in a Tri-City sweater, which puts him 16th all-time.

Ward also has 39 goals, good for 7th in team history. His 43 assists rank him 16th, just one helper behind team greats Jaroslav Markovic and Matt Ambroz. The captain can also move up the list in penalty minutes and plus-minus, where he currently ranks 17th and 16th respectively.

Maybe the most impressive record Ward has broken this season is his mark for the longest point streak in a single season, which is still ongoing. Ward has notched a point in 15 consecutive games, dating back to Feb. 8. The previous record was set by current NHL player Jaden Schwartz during the 2009-10 season when he had points in 13 consecutive games.

Schwartz, who is now a forward on the St. Louis Blues, finished his only season in Kearney with 83 points. Ward has the ability to pass Schwartz this weekend on the Storm's all-time scoring list as he is only one point behind, with 82.

Ward's teammate Trevor Moore has also played himself onto the all-time leaderboard, and is tied with Jarod Palmer (2004-06) for 5th in scoring, with 93 points.

Moore, a Thousand Oaks, Calif. native who will play for Denver University next season, is also 4th in career assists with 61 helpers and 12th in goal scoring with 32 tallies. With an assist in each game this weekend, Moore can move up to 3rd on the assist list.

Two-year forward Michael Vecchione is another player on multiple lists. The Saugus, Mass. native has scored 34 goals, 51 assists and 85 points, which are 13th, 8th, and 10th respectively all-time. Vecchione is within striking distance of a few Storm alums and a good weekend would allow him to move up on all three lists.

Saturday night's game at the Viaero Event Center starts at 7:05 p.m. and is Fan Appreciation Night. It will be the last chance for season ticket holders to bring a friend and recycle any unused tickets from earlier in the season. Fans are encouraged to come out and enjoy the last game, seeing their team suit up one final time before the season comes to an end.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from April 10, 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.

OurSports Central