Rivera Scores Game-Winner in 4-3 Victory over Waterloo
November 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers Lineup vs. the Waterloo Black Hawks
(Omaha Lancers)
Ralston, NE - Nick Rivera scored the eventual game-winning goal at 2:29 of the third period and the Omaha Lancers held off a late push in a 4-3 victory over the Waterloo Black Hawks before a sellout crowd of 3,601 at Ralston Arena on Saturday night.
It didn't take long for the scoring to start as the Lancers took an early lead. After two big stops by goaltender Kris Oldham, forward Mitch Perrault took off down the right side of the ice. When he got to the slot in the right wing circle, Perrault ripped the puck over through the right arm of Black Hawks' netminder Drew Hotte for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Perrault's seventh of the year and second of the weekend with assists from William Fallstrom and Brian Williams.
Liam Pecararo came into the game without a single goal on the year. He changed that at 13:23 of the first period while standing to the side of the net. After the puck bounced around just in front of the crease, it went to the blade of Pecararo, who tapped it by Kris Oldham to tie the game for Waterloo, 1-1, on his first of the year. Black Hawks' Nick Swaney and Ronnie Hein were credited with assists.
For the second time of the night, and the season, Liam Pecararo scored to give the 'Hawks a one-goal lead early in the second period. Below the goal line, teammate Ronnie Hein went to work behind the net of Omaha's Kris Oldham. As Hein played the puck to Oldham's left, Pecararo snapped it by the blocker pad for the 2-1 lead just 1:59 into the second.
The lead didn't last long as the Lancers scored two-straight to take the lead back. It started with the combination of Brannon McManus and Josh French. On the right wing wall, French picked up the puck and quickly turned a pass to McManus at the top of the offensive zone circle. After receiving the pass, McManus immediately let a shot go that beat Drew Hotte to even the game for the Lancers, 2-2, on his seventh of the year. French had the original assist, with Nick Rivera collecting the other at 3:33 of the middle frame.
While killing a penalty, Brian Williams gave Omaha the lead back. After Nick Rivera was stopped on a short-handed breakaway chance, Williams pushed the puck to the neutral zone and went around the defense. When Williams moved into the right wing circle, he lifted a shot over the shoulder of Hott to give the Lancers a 3-2 lead on his sixth of the year, and the team's first goal while on the penalty kill. The strike came at 10:38 of the second period and Matt Meier had the only assist.
A bounce off the boards behind the net helped the Black Hawks even the score in the second period and Liam Pecararo scored yet again, for the hat trick. After a shot missed the net, Pecararo shot the puck into the net after it bounced off the end wall for his third of the night, tying the game 3-3 with 7:02 left in the second period.
An offensive zone draw proved to be a game-changer early in the third period. Off the puck drop, Nick Rivera went right to the front of the net where he received a pass and sent the puck by the right leg pad of Drew Hott to give the Lancers a 4-3 lead. It was Rivera's sixth goal in 14 games played and held up as the eventual game-winning goal.
Lancers' Kris Oldham was credited with his seventh win of the season, stopping 26 of the 29 shots he faced for Omaha's second win in a row.
The Omaha Lancers are back home on Wednesday, the eve of Thanksgiving against the Sioux Falls Stampede at 7:05 p.m.! Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Valpak Pregame Show on "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL, Mighty 1290 KOIL Mobile APP, 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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 Omaha Lancers Lineup vs. the Waterloo Black Hawks |
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