Stampede Top Muskegon for First Home Win of the Year
November 20, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release
Sioux Falls, SD-Russian's Artem Ivanyuzhenkov and Mikhali Berdin helped propel the Sioux Falls Stampede to their first home victory of the 2017-18 season. Ivanyuzhenkov tallied two goals and an assist while Berdin stopped 33 of 36 shots as the Herd downed the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 5-3, Friday night before 5,321 at the PREMIER Center. Nolan Walker added a goal and assist for the Herd who improved to 5-4-5 overall and 1-2-3 on home ice this season. The win puts them in third place in the Western Conference while Muskegon dropped to 4-7-0 on the season.
Both teams had power play opportunities early, including a 5-on-3 for the Stampede, but neither would score early in the period. Sioux Falls would grab the first goal of the game for the 10th time this season at 8:19 when Nolan Walker sent a perfect pass into the slot for Artem Ivanyuzhenkov who one-timed a shot past Muskegon goaltender Keegan Karki to give the Stampede a 1-0 lead. The Lumberjacks would tie the game at the 13:50 mark when Emilio Pettersen picked up a loose rebound and past Stampede goaltender Mikhail Berdin to make it a 1-1 game. Minutes later the Lumberjacks were awarded a penalty shot after a Stampede player played the puck with a hand in the crease, but Berdin made a stick save to keep the game tied. The Herd went on a power play in the final seconds of the first period and this time they took advantage. Ivanyuzhenkov wristed a shot that was stopped by Karki, but Walker picked up the rebound and wristed a shot into the net to give Sioux Falls a 2-1 advantage. Muskegon outshot the Herd 12-9 in the period.
The Stampede went on a power play just seconds into the second and converted 1:47 when Ivanyuzhenkov scored again, this time on a pass from Colin Swoyer and Kristian Acosta to give Sioux Falls a 3-1 lead. It stayed that way until the 15:45 mark when Matej Pekar drove to the net shorthanded and scored to pull Muskegon within one. It appeared the Herd would take their lead to the locker room, but the Lumberjacks tied the game on a wrist shot from Anthony Del Gaizo with just 10 seconds remaining in the period to make it 3-3 after two. The Stampede outshot the Lumberjacks 16-11 in the period.
Sioux Falls only had six shots on goal in the third, but made two of them count. Brandon Tabakin and Adam Dawe broke across the Muskegon zone on a 2-on-1 and after Tabakin's shot was stopped, Dawe stormed the net and put it into the goal for a 4-3 Stampede lead at 7:16. The Herd held their one-goal lead late into the game thanks to great goaltender from Berdin. They put things away for good with seven seconds remaining when Mitchell Mattson scored on an empty net to secure a 5-3 victory.
Muskegon outshot Sioux Falls 36-31 on the night and went 0-for-4 on the power play while the Stampede finished 2-for-6.
These two teams meet again on Saturday as the Herd host the Lumberjacks for Teddy Bear Toss night, presented by Dental Solutions. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to the game and toss it onto the ice after the Stampede's first goal. Be sure to write our name, section, row and seat number on the tag for a chance to win some great prizes from the Stampede and Dental Solutions. Tickets are still available through the PREMIER Center or Ticketmaster. Puck drop is 7:05 PM.
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