Stampede Roll Past Sioux City to Take Game 3
April 17, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release
Sioux City, IA-A three goal first period propelled the Sioux Falls Stampede to a convincing 4-1 victory over the Sioux City Musketeers Friday night at the Tyson Events Center in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal series. The Stampede lead the best-of-five series 2 games to 1 and can clinch a berth in the Western Conference Final with a victory at home on Sunday night. Tickets for Game 4 at the PREMIER Center are on sale now at the KELOLAND Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Game time is 6:05 PM.
Mikey Eyssimont scored twice while Dakota Joshua added a goal and two assists in the victory while Stefanos Lekkas continue his strong play between the pipes, stopping 33 of 34 shots on the night. Tory Loggins chipped in with a pair of assists for the Stampede who won for the first time all season at the Tyson Events Center and are now 1-5-0 (including the regular season) in Sioux City.
The Stampede came out flying out of the gates and outplayed the Musketeers in the first period, outshooting them 13-9. The Herd grabbed the first goal of the game 5:17 into the first when Mikey Eyssimont spun around the outside of the left circle and sent a shot towards the Sioux City net and the puck deflected off a Musketeer stick and into the back of the net to give Sioux Falls an early 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later the Herd struck again, this time Lawton Courtnall went around the goal and sent a pass into the slot for Chaz Switzer who tapped the puck into the net to make it a 2-0 game. It stayed that way until the 17:07 mark when the Herd scored right off a face-off. Dakota Joshua won the draw to Troy Loggins who then slid the puck inside the left circle right back to Joshua who backhanded a shot past Olson to give the Herd a 3-0 advantage after one period. Sioux Falls outshot Sioux City 13-9 in the period.
The Herd added to their lead at the 8:27 mark of the second period when Eyssimont tallied his second goal of the game. Dillon Eichstadt took a pass from Joshua at the left point and blasted a shot through traffic that was deflected by Eyssimont in front of the net and past the goaltender Olson to give Sioux Falls a commanding 4-0 lead. That would be all for Olson who was then replaced by Cam Gornet. Gornet was settle the Stampede down for the rest of the period keeping them off the board and Stampede goaltender Stefanos Lekkas was again outstanding for the Herd, making several big saves throughout the period to keep the Musketeers off the board. Late in the period, the Musketeers broke across on a 2-on-1, but Lekkas slid from right to left and got his right pad on the puck and the rebound was cleared by Marody to keep the 4-0 lead heading into the third period. Sioux Falls outshot the Musketeers 17-8 in the period.
Sioux City began the third period on the powerplay and it only took them 20 seconds in to take advantage as Robert Carpenter shot was stopped by Lekkas, but the rebound bounced to Joel Janatuinen who knocked in before Lekkas was able to get his glove on it. That gave the Musketeers a lift as they began to start to control play in the third period, outshooting the Herd 17-7, but Lekkas and the Stampede defense were up to the test and held off the Musketeers to secure the big Game 3 victory, 4-1.
Sioux Falls outshot Sioux City 37-34 on the night and went 0-for-3 on the power play while the Musketeers finished 1-for-4.
The Stampede will have a chance to close out the series on Sunday when they host the Musketeers in Game 4 at 6:05 PM. The Stampede are holding a tailgate party prior to the game at the Birdcage from 4-6 PM. There will be games, inflatables, face painting, Mr. Twister balloon animals for free as well as hot dogs, burgers, soda and beer for purchase. Doors open at the PREMIER Center at 5 PM.
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2015
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