Offense Shines in 7-1 Win
February 20, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - Offense was let loose on Friday night as five forwards and one defenseman recorded multi-point nights for the Omaha Lancers in a 7-1 victory over Team USA's U17 squad in front of 3,736 fans at Ralston Arena. It was the 5th straight sellout for the Lancers this season and 7th overall on the year.
Omaha was first to get on the board and it didn't take long. Nick Rivera took a pass in the neutral zone from Brian Williams and moved into the offensive zone with defenders to beat. Instead, Rivera played the screen of the defense and let a high snap shot go that beat goaltender Joseph Woll over his glove for the early 1-0 lead. Rivera's tally came just 1:41 into the game for his 9th of the season with assists from Williams and Brendan Smith.
After the Lancers killed three penalties in the opening period they were rewarded with a power-play of their own and capitalized. After a big save by Joseph Woll on Shane Gersich, the loose puck was picked up by Steven Spinner. The Nebraska-Omaha commit moved to the top of the circles and play a shot through traffic that found a way into the net for a power-play goal. It was Spinner's first of the night assisted by Shane Gersich and Matt Joyaux.
Just 18 seconds into the second period the Lancers went ahead 3-0 as Anthony Angello beat Woll for his 14th of the year and forced a goaltending change for the U17's as Joseph Woll was replaced momentarily by Jake Oettinger. Angello's goal had helpers from Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson and Jake Henderson.
Steven Spinner struck again at 3:52 of the middle frame for increase the lead. Matt Joyaux took the puck from the left wing circle and sent it across the ice to an awaiting Shane Gersich who let a one-timer fly from the bottom of the right wing circle. The original shot was stopped by a sprawling Oettinger but the rebound was hammered in by Spinner for his second goal of the game and 12th of the year to give Omaha a 4-0 lead.
After a scrum involving Nash Worden and Max Jones, Team USA changed goalies again, removing Oettinger after giving up a goal and putting Joseph Woll back into the game. Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson tallied his 14th of the year and team leading 48th point of the year at 13:21 of the second period with assists from Jimmy Schuldt and Anthony Angello. Forsbacka-Karlsson beat Woll in net to push the Lancers out to a 5-1 lead.
Team USA finally got on the board courtesy of an Adam Fox power-play goal from a wrist shot from the top of the circles that beat Lancers' netminder Kris Oldham to get the U17's within four goals.
Late in the period Omaha answered back off the stick of Josh French courtesy of an excellent Steven Spinner assist. Spinner moved down the left side as French slipped behind the defense. French took a saucer pass from Spinner and backhanded the puck by Joseph Woll for a 6-1 lead as Spinner and Gersich both recorded their third point of the night with the assists.
Jake Henderson finished up the scoring for Omaha with a power-play goal of his own. Henderson waited at the top of the crease and snapped in a pass from below the goal line to give seal a 7-1 victory for the Lancers with 9:02 left in the game. Kris Oldham recorded his 13th win of the year stopping 18 of 19 shots.
The Lancers are back at Ralston Arena tomorrow night as they host the Fargo Force for a Western Conference matchup at 7:05PM. It's the Wiener Dog Dash! Puck drops at 7:05PM. Can't make it? LIVE coverage of the game begins at 6:50PM with the Valpak Pregame Show on The Mighty 1290 KOIL, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.fasthockey.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2015
- Offense Shines in 7-1 Win - Omaha Lancers
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- Saints' Home Win Streak at Eight with 3-1 Win over Muskegon - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm Earn Point in Shootout Loss to Lincoln - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede Blank Fargo 5-0 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Hults Continues Strong Play, But Capitols Fall to Team USA U18s - Madison Capitols
- Capitols Welcome Team USA U18's on Purple & Pucks Weekend - Madison Capitols
- Birdsall Blanks Bloomington - Youngstown Phantoms
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