Storm Game Preview at Fargo: TC Restarts with Conference Game After Bye Week
October 28, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release
Fargo, N.D - The Tri-City Storm (4-4-0-1, 9 pts.) plays its first game in 13 days, traveling to North Dakota for a weekend set against the Fargo Force. Tri-City plays Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Force.
Tri-City sits at sixth in the conference, but just four points back of first-place Des Moines. Fargo ranks seventh in the conference with eight points and a 4-5-0-0 record.
Since the last Storm game, Christoffer Karlsen and Brian Hawkinson have returned from the injured reserve. Also of note, Tri-City acquired goaltender Eric Dop from Minot (NAHL).
The Storm's next home game is Friday, November 4 at 7:05 p.m. against the Omaha Lancers for Social Media Night, presented by the Nebraska Lottery. Tri-City will hold "like and share" contests on social media throughout the next week to win tickets to the game.
Viaero Wireless Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m.
Radio : The Breeze 94.5 FM
Mobile : Free audio on your mobile device with the Tri-City Storm Mobile App (iPhone App Store // Google Play)
Streaming Video : Pay-to-watch on http://USHL.HockeyTV.com
Social : @TriCityStorm for in-game updates and broadcaster @RealDavidFine
#DefendToTheEnd
Upcoming Schedule
Fri., Oct. 28 at Fargo, 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 29 at Fargo, 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 4 vs. Omaha, 7:05 p.m. - Social Media Night, $5 Kids Friday
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Return of the Hawk
Storm Assistant Captain Brian Hawkinson, a noted shot blocker and penalty-killing winger, is expected to return to the lineup this weekend after being removed from the 45-day injured reserve on October 22.
The 18-year-old played in all 11 Clark Cup Playoff games for Tri-City, contributing an assist. In the regular season, Hawkinson scored one goal and four points.
Hawkinson moved to Kailua, Hawaii in the summer. Prior to that, the Miami commit lived in Aurora, Colorado and in Peoria, Arizona.
Cramped standings
The Storm is four points behind Des Moines Buccaneers and the Waterloo Black Hawks for first in the Western Conference (13 pts.). Just six points separate the Black Hawks, Buccaneers and last-place Sioux Falls. The Storm is two points back of third-place Sioux City and one behind Lincoln and Omaha.
Tri-City and Des Moines have each won consecutive games. The Storm won back-to-back home contests against Cedar Rapids and Lincoln Oct. 14-15 to snap a season-long four-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, Chicago has won its first nine games, six points better than second-place Green Bay and Muskegon. On the opposite end, Cedar Rapids (0-8-1-0) is winless through its first nine games. Coincidently, Chicago and Cedar Rapids play on Friday night.
Scouting the Force
Fargo is the only Western Conference team without a home victory this season, dropping its first three games at Scheels Arena. Conversely, the Force is 4-2-0-0 on the road. A similar theme played out last season, when the Force won 16 games at home and 16 on the road. The Force finished 2015-16 with 66 points and missed the playoffs because Sioux Falls won the first tiebreaker (regulation + overtime wins) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference.
The Force acquired Shane McMahan Wednesday from Aston (NAHL). McMahan also played for Fargo from 2014-16 and this starts his third season in black and white. Fargo has ten returning players, including Captain Blake Lizotte, who is second in the league with ten assists and tied for third in the circuit with 11 points.
Returning players Hank Crone (10 pts.) and Jack Adams (9 pts.) are second and third on the club in points.
Despite the wealth of experienced skaters, Matthew Murray and Ryan Bischel are two new pieces in net. Murray leads the league in games played (9) and minutes (495), compiling a 4-4-0-0 record, a shutout, a 2.91 goals against average and a .897 save percentage.
Rookie Ryan Bischel was pulled in his only start vs. Omaha on October 15 after 36 minutes, yielding three goals on 16 shots.
Last Time Out
Thirteen days ago, Alex Limoges and Bryan Yoon scored in the third period to help the Storm overcome a one-goal deficit and defeat Lincoln, 4-3.
Limoges has goals in four straight games and leads the Storm with five tallies and ten points.
Tri-City went 2-for-8 on the power play, giving the man-up unit goals in five straight games (9-for-24, 37.5%).
Dayton Rasmussen won his fourth game of the season, recording 24 saves.
Philip Alftberg, the Storm's defenseman points leader (2g, 5a) scored his first two USHL goals in a 1:48 span.
On Deck
The Storm and Force finish up the weekend on Saturday, October 29 with a 7:05 puck drop.
Tri-City is at home on Friday, November 4 against Omaha at 7:05 p.m. on Social Media night, presented by the Nebraska Lottery. It's a $5 Kids Friday, presented by Kearney Taco Bell. All kids 12 and under get $5 tickets, plus a voucher for a free taco and soft drink at Kearney Taco Bell.
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