Stampede Rally to Top Muskegon in Game 1 of Clark Cup Final
May 9, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release
Muskegon, MI-The Sioux Falls Stampede scored three times in the third period and downed the Muskegon Lumberjacks 3-2 in Game 1 of the Clark Cup Final Saturday night at L.C. Walker Arena. The Stampede lead the best-of-five series 1-0 with Game 2 set for Saturday night in Muskegon.
Trailing 1-0 entering the third period, the Stampede got goals from Dakota Joshua, Ryan Schwalbe and J.M. Piotrowski to earn the victory. Stefanos Lekkas posted another solid outing in between the pipes, stopping 32 of 34 shots on the night to improve to 7-3 in the playoffs. The win was the fourth straight of the postseason for the Stampede who won when trailing after two periods for just the third time all season (including the regular season).
After a scoreless first period in which the Herd outshot the Lumberjacks 15-8, Muskegon grabbed the first goal of the game at 4:12 when Matej Paulovic scored on the power play. Corey Schueneman blasted a shot from the high slot that was deflected by Paulovic and went over the right shoulder of Stampede goaltender Stefanos Lekkas to give the Jacks a 1-0 lead. The Lumberjacks controlled play most of the period though the Stampede had their share of quality scoring chances, but were denied by Eric Shierhorn who stopped all nine shots he faced in the period. Muskegon outshot the Herd 12-9 in the period.
Sioux Falls came out with more energy in the third period and tied the game at 5:58 when Dakota Joshua tallied his third goal of the playoffs. Mikey Eyssimont sent a pass to the edge of the left circle for Joshua who blasted a shot into the upper right hand corner of the net to tie the game 1-1. Less than five minutes later the Herd took their first lead of the night when Ryan Schwalbe tallied his second goal of the postseason. Schwalbe took the puck down the left wing wall, around a Lumberjacks defender and cut back in front of the net where he tucked the puck right under the left arm of Muskegon netminder Eric Schierhorn to give Sioux Falls a 2-1 advantage. The celebration would be short lived however, as the Lumberjacks responded with a goal of their own just over 30 seconds later when Mark Petaccio found the back of the net. Sioux Falls would pull ahead for the final time at 14:08 when Parker Tuomie blasted a shot on to the net of Schierhorn that went off his right pad, but the rebound bounced inside the left circle where J.M. Piotrowski skated in and knocked home the rebound to give Sioux Falls a 3-2 edge.
The Lumberjacks pulled Schierhorn with 1:30 left and applied pressure on the Herd, but Lekkas continued his strong play and the Herd held off the Lumberjacks for the victory. Muskegon outshot the Herd 14-12 in the third period, but Sioux Falls outshot Muskegon 37-34 in the game. The Lumberjacks were 1-for-4 on the power play while the Stampede were 0-for-3.
The Herd face the Lumberjacks in Game 2 on Sunday at 6:15 PM in Muskegon. Fans can watch the game live at Buffalo Wild Wings at both Sioux Falls locations are listen live on KELO News Talk 1320-AM, 107.9-FM and online at KELO.com. The Herd return home for Game 3 of the series on Friday, May 15th. Fans can purchase tickets through the PREMIER Center Box Office, Ticketmaster or by calling the Stampede office at 336-6060. Friday will also be a "Blue Out" where fans are encouraged to wear Stampede blue to the game. Everyone sitting in the lower bowl will receive a free blue Stampede playoff tee-shirt, courtesy of Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital. Information on pre-game festivities will be released on Monday.
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United States Hockey League Stories from May 9, 2015
- Stampede Take Game One of 2015 USHL Clark Cup Final - USHL
- Stampede Rally to Top Muskegon in Game 1 of Clark Cup Final - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stampede Rally to Top Muskegon in Game 1 of Clark Cup Final - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Petaccio and Paulovic Net Markers, Stampede Prevail in Game 1 of Clark Cup Final - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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