Lancers Weekly: Three Lancers Make Pro Debuts Last Week
April 5, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Ralston, NE - The Omaha Lancers prepare for the final two games of the season as the 31st campaign in franchise history concludes with a pair of games against Lincoln. Saturday's season finale is Fan Appreciation Night, and will feature give aways throughout the course of the night.
Need To Know:
* Omaha wraps up the 2016-17 season at home on Saturday against Lincoln * Three former Lancer made their professional debuts last week. * Affiliate Noah Cates notched three points (2g, 1a) in two games over the weekend
Last Week
Friday, March 31 at Des Moines, L, 6-1
Saturday, April 1 vs. Dubuque, L, 7-4
This Week
April 7 at Lincoln (31-21-4-1, 67 pts, 5th Western)
April 8 vs Lincoln (31-21-4-1, 67 pts, 5th Western)
The Week Ahead:
Omaha wraps up the season with a home-and-home series against arch rival Lincoln. The Stars are preparing for a three-game week, which begins with a game against Des Moines on Tuesday. A win by the Bucs in any fashion on Tuesday night would eliminate the Stars from playoff contention before the weekend even begins. If the Stars are victorious they would need a weekend sweep paired with some help, in order to reach the playoffs.
Omaha and Lincoln ended the 2014-15 season in the same fashion. That year neither team was able to finish the home portion of the schedule with a win, as the road team was victorious in both games.
Pro Debuts and More to Come:
Three former Lancers made their professional debuts over the weekend. Defensemen Jake Bischoff and Vince Pedrie made their debuts in the AHL while '16-'17 captain Filip Rydstrom played his first professional game with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL.
Bischoff, who played with the Lancers during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, made the most of his professional debut with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) on Friday. The defenseman scored in the opening period, and added an assist later in the Sound Tigers victory. Bischoff joined the Sound Tigers after finishing his collegiate career with the University of Minnesota. Pedrie, a Lancer from 2011-2013, debuted with the Hartford Wolfpack after a two-year career at Penn State University.
Rydstrom, who recorded 34 points in 51 games for the Lancers this season, joined the Indy Fuel (ECHL) on an Amateur Tryout Offer on Sunday. The Swedish forward made his professional debut against the Cincinnati Cyclones on Sunday.
In addition to Bischoff, Pedrie and Rydstrom, three other former Lancers signed professional contracts last week. Tucker Poolman (Winnipeg Jets-NHL), Matt Gaudreau (Bridgeport Sound Tigers-AHL), and Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson (Boston Bruins-NHL). If Forsbacka Karlsson makes his NHL debut this season he would become the 31st former Lancer to play in the NHL.
Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to "Like" the official "Omaha Lancers" page on Facebook.
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2017
- Storm Alum Mike Vecchione Makes NHL Debut for Phildelphia Flyers - Tri-City Storm
- Steel Host Fan Appreciation Night this Friday - Chicago Steel
- Black Hawks' Beydoun Blanks Steel Tuesday - Chicago Steel
- Lancers Weekly: Three Lancers Make Pro Debuts Last Week - Omaha Lancers
- Fan Appreciation Night this Saturday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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