Stampede Roll over Musketeers to Advance to Conference Final
April 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release
Sioux City, IA-The Sioux Falls Stampede saved their best for last. In what was arguably their best performance of the season, the Stampede rolled over the Sioux City Musketeers 6-1 in Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinal series Tuesday night at the Tyson Events Center. The Herd took the series against the #1 seeded Musketeers 3 games to 2 and advanced them to the Western Conference Final where they will face Tri-City. It marks the second time in three years the Stampede have advanced to the conference final.
Logan O'Connor tallied two goals and an assist while MIkey Eyssimont and Cooper Marody both tallied a goal and an assist for the Herd who scored four times in the second period en route to victory. Stefanos Lekkas continued his brilliant play between the pipes for the Herd with 21 saves leading the Stampede to their second road win of the playoffs in a building they didn't win in at all during the regular season.
The Stampede came out fired up for Game 5 and thoroughly outplayed the Musketeers in the first period, outshooting them 16-6. Despite several good scoring chances the Herd were still scoreless with Sioux City until the 11:48 mark when J.M. Piotrowski to Parker Tuomie who skated in from the far right wing corner and wristed a shot just underneath the crossbar to give Sioux Falls a 1-0 lead. The Herd continued to dominate the first period, but could only muster one goal and took that lead into the locker room and would begin the second period on the power play.
Sioux Falls took advantage of the power play in the second as Logan O'Connor scored just 49 seconds in to extend the lead to 2-0. O'Connor took the puck from the edge of the left circle and wristed a shot through traffic that beat Olson. It remained 2-0 until the 10 minute mark when the Herd went on the power play and cashed in again. After Mikey Eyssimont's shot was stopped, the rebound bounced to the top of the crease where Dakota Joshua stood and fought off two defenders to lift the puck into the back of the net and give Sioux Falls a 3-0 lead. The Musketeers got back into the game 2:52 later when Adam Johnson's wrist shot from the left circle beat Stampede goaltender Stefanos Lekkas on the stick side and the Musketeers pulled within two goals. Less than four minutes later the Herd responded when Cooper Marody drove down the right wing boards and wristed a shot from the right circle into the upper right hand corner of the net and it was 4-1. Sioux Falls completed the scoring at 19:37 of the second period when O'Connor wrapped the puck around the net and tucked it under the pads of Olson for his second of the night and his fourth of the playoffs. Sioux Falls outshot the Musketeers 22-11 in the period and took a commanding 5-1 lead into the locker room.
The Herd put the game away for good at 13:20 of the third period when Ryan Schwalbe found Mikey Eyssimont open at the Musketeers blue line and Eyssimont skated in on a breakaway, beating goaltender Cam Gornet who relieved Olson after the beginning of the period. Things got chippy at the end, but Sioux Falls held their cool and earned a spot in the conference final.
Sioux Falls outshot Sioux City 54-22 on the night and finished 2-for-7 on the power play while the Musketeers, who had the best power play in the league during the regular season, were 1-for-3 and finished the series 2-for-18.
The Herd will now get ready to face the Tri-City Storm in the Western Conference Final which begins Friday in Kearney at 7:30 PM. Game 2 is Saturday in Kearney before the series shifts to Sioux Falls May 1 and 2 for Game 3 and, if necessary, Game 4. Should there be a Game 5 it will take place in Kearney on Tuesday, May 5th. Ticket information for Game 3 will be made available in the near future.
USHL Clark Cup Playoffs - Western Conference Final
#2 Tri-City Storm vs. #4 Sioux Falls Stampede
Game 1: Friday, April 24th, 7:30 PM - Sioux Falls @ Tri-City
Game 2: Saturday, April 25th, 7:05 PM - Sioux Falls @ Tri-City
Game 3: Friday, May 1st, 7:05 PM - Tri-City @ Sioux Falls
Game 4: Saturday, May 2nd, 7:05 PM - Tri-City @ Sioux Falls**
Game 5: Tuesday, May 5th, 7:05 PM - Sioux Falls @ Tri-City**
**if necessary
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2015
- Stampede Roll over Musketeers to Advance to Conference Final - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Schedule for Western Conference Final Announced - Tri-City Storm
- Western Conference Final Schedule Set in 2015 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs - USHL
- U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Topples Germany, 13-1, at IIHF Men's Under-18 World Championship - U.S. National Team
- Stampede to Host Game 5 Viewing Party Tonight at Buffalo Wild Wings - Sioux Falls Stampede
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