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Tri-City Storm Western Conference Finals Preview: Goaltenders

April 29, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL) - Tri-City Storm News Release


Kearney, Neb. - The one-seed Tri-City Storm and the three-seed Waterloo Black Hawks open the best-of-five 2016 Clark Cup Western Conference Finals at the Viaero Center on Friday, April 29 at 7:05 p.m. The first 2,000 fans in attendance receive free rally towels. Game 2 is this Saturday, April 30 at 7:05 p.m.

Kids tickets are $5 and college tickets are $6 for both games. http://bit.ly/Storm_Tickets

The Storm is home for Game 5, if necessary, on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:05 p.m.

Our four-part preview highlights notable matchups and history. Our first part examined each club's playoff history.

Part 2 explained key matchups at forward that could define the series, while Part 3 analyzed the defensemen.

In our final preview, we study each club's netminders.

Tri-City Storm Goaltenders

Storm goaltender Jake Kielly has emerged as the number-one option, appearing in 31 of 44 games since December 1. In the Clark Cup Playoffs, Kielly has the best goals against average (1.00) and save percentage (.962), stopping 82 of 85 shots. In Game 1, Kielly shut out Sioux Falls with 27 saves.

The first-year backstopper made the 2015 Robertson Cup Finals (NAHL) with the Austin Bruins. Kielly teamed up with current roommate Nico Sturm in Austin. Both are committed to play at Clarkson University.

From December 29 - March 25 (80 days), the 6-foot-3, 190-lb. netminder did not lose in regulation, going 13-0-4-2 over 19 games. His dramatic points streak coincided with dominant play, amassing three shutouts, a 2.02 goals against average and a league-best .931 save percentage.

Kielly finished the regular season 21-7-5-3 with four shutouts and a 2.33 goals against average. His .919 save percentage ranked best in Storm single-season history, .001 better than Bernd Bruckler in 2000-01. The 19-year-old native of Eden Prairie, Minnesota also set Tri-City's record for most assists by a goaltender (3).

Dayton Rasmussen, acquired from the Waterloo Black Hawks on November 15, seized backup duties in early December after the Storm transferred Matt Greenfield to the BCHL. In Greenfield's place, the 17-year-old Rasmussen became the youngest USHL netminder to play consistent minutes. Also from Eden Prairie, Rasmussen finished 2015-16 with a 4-4-3-2 record, a 2.76 goals against average and .907 save percentage.

Excluding stats in Waterloo, Rasmussen was 4-3-3-2 with a 2.52 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.

The two are good friends on and off the ice.

Waterloo Black Hawks Goaltenders

Since the Black Hawks acquired Cale Morris from the Chicago Steel in January 2015, he has been the unquestioned leader in net. After last season's trade, Morris played in every Black Hawks game to finish 2014-15, going 19-6-3-0 with a 1.85 goals against average and .937 save percentage.

From January 17, 2015 - October 16, 2015, Morris played in 34 straight games.

In 38 games this regular season, Morris went 20-12-1-2 with a 2.47 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. Nineteen years old, the Larkspur, Colorado native played with the Colorado Thunderbirds program growing up, the same as Storm goalie Dayton Rasmussen and Tri-City forward Brian Hawkinson.

After playing 13 of the first 14 games to begin the season, Morris was sidelined from November 14 - December 29 (11 games) due to injury.

With Morris hurt, Drew Hotte played in the next 16 games. Hotte was dealt to Madison for goaltender Garrett Metcalf on February 8. Metcalf made nine appearances with the Black hawks and 36 total this season, going 13-16-2-2 with a 3.21 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.

Morris returned to consistent form and recorded three shutouts from March 5-22, including shutouts in back-to-back appearances on March 5 at Omaha and March 11 against Dubuque.

In the playoffs, Morris is 3-1 with a 2.36 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Previous Previews

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 - Playoff history

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 - Forwards

Thursday, April 28, 2016 - Defenseman

Western Conference Finals Schedule:

#3 Waterloo Black Hawks vs. #1 Tri-City Storm

GAME 1: Friday, April 29, 7:05 p.m. (Viaero Center) - Rally towels (first 2,000) $5 kids tickets, $6 college tickets

GAME 2: Saturday, April 30, 7:05 p.m. (Viaero Center) - $5 kids tickets, $6 college tickets

GAME 3: Friday, May 6, 7:05 p.m. (Young Arena)

GAME 4: Saturday, May 7, 7:05 p.m. (Young Arena)

GAME 5: Tuesday, May 10, 7:05 p.m. (Viaero Center) - if necessary


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