Late Heroics Not Enough; Lancers Drop Opener 4-3 in OT
September 27, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - Shane Gersich tied the game in the third period and Jake Henderson gave the Lancers a 3-2 lead late in regulation, however the Sioux City Musketeers came back to tie the game late and Joe Snively won it in overtime with a shorthanded goal for the opening night 4-3 Sioux City win in front of 2,965 fans at Ralston Arena on Friday night.
The scoring started at 14:27 of the first period as Ryan Walker picked up his first of the night assisted by Bobo Carpenter and Joel Janatuinen for a 1-0 Sioux City advantage. The rebound came right out to Walker at the bottom of the right wing circle and he fired it by Omaha's Hayden Hawkey for the tally.
It took until no time was left on the clock for the Lancers to respond and even the game up at a goal apiece. Anthony Angello exited the penalty box for the second time of the period and went across the ice to join a rush with Brian Williams. Williams found Angello on the left wing wall who snapped in the tying goal as time expired in the first period making it 1-1. Williams was credited with the lone assist.
After no scoring in the second period, Joel Janatuinen got on the scoresheet again, this time with a goal. Just 50 seconds into the third period, a bad carom went off the Lancers defense and into the net putting the Musketeers ahead 2-1 early on in the final frame. Janatuinen was credited with the goal, and second point of the night.
The Lancers responded with a pair of goals that started with Shane Gersich going right around the defender and cutting to the front of the net, ripping a shot through the legs of Sioux City's netminder Collin Olson and the Lancers came back for a second time of the game, this time to tie it 2-2. Niklas Folin sent the pass to Gersich and was given the only assist on the goal.
Jake Henderson, who was named to the NHL Central Scouting Watch List earlier this week came up big on the man advantage late in regulation. After a shot came in from Niklas Folin, a pile of players built up in front of the net. Jake Henderson pulled the puck free and buried the rebound by Olson to give Omaha a 3-2 lead with only 2:07 left to go in regulation time. Folin had the first assist, and Jimmy Schuldt the next.
Just when fans thought the game was over, Sioux City pulled the goalie and got the extra attacker out for an offensive zone face-off. Bobo Carpenter pulled the puck right back to Ryan Walker who sent a slap shot over the left shoulder of Hayden Hawkey to tie the game 3-3 with just 57 seconds left in the third period. It was Walker's second of the night, and Carpenter's third assist of the evening.
In overtime, the Musketeers took a minor penalty for high sticking and the Lancers went to work on the power-play. Joe Snively knocked a puck down at the blueline for Sioux City and went in on a breakaway, beating Hayden Hawkey for the game winning goal, in overtime, and the 4-3 win.
Hawkey denied 26 of 30 shots on net in the loss.
The Lancers are off tomorrow night and return to Ralston Arena next Friday as they welcome in the Des Moines Buccaneers for the first time of the season. Puck drops at 7:35PM, coverage begins at 7:05PM with the Valpak Pregame Show on The Mighty 1290 KOIL, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.fasthockey.com.
Stay current with the latest team news by visiting www.lancers.com. In addition stay connected with the Lancers on Facebook (/omahalancers), Twitter (@omahalancers), and the team's Youtube channel (/lancershockey)
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United States Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2014
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- Capitols Fall Despite Valiant Comeback Effort in Season Opener - Madison Capitols
- Three Future NHL Players Arrive in Bloomington for Opening Night - Bloomington Thunder
- Late Heroics Not Enough; Lancers Drop Opener 4-3 in OT - Omaha Lancers
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