Ward Lifts Storm with Late Game-Winning Goal
October 6, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release
KEARNEY, Neb. - A goal by Brian Ward with under a minute remaining in front of a sold out crowd vaulted the Tri-City Storm (1-2-0) to their first victory of the season as they defeated the Sioux City Musketeers (0-1-1) 4-3 on Friday night at the Viaero Event Center.
The late goal was Ward's second tally of the night, as he also scored early in the second period. The goals were the first points of the season for the third-year veteran of the USHL.
The Musketeers took the lead early on the in the first period on a goal by Cam Brown five minutes in. But Tri-City responded when Garrett Cecere tipped home a pass from Ryan McMurphy for his first career Storm goal. Kyle Eastman was also credited with an assist on the play for his first career Storm point.
After tying the game, Tri-City wasted no time getting back to work, taking the lead on a goal by Michael Vecchione 42 seconds after Cecere's strike. Vecchione ripped a backhand shot past Sioux City goaltender Kyle Hayton for his first goal of the season to give the Storm a 2-1 advantage.
Ward had the only goal of the second frame, coming 1:20 into the period on a pass from Vecchione and the Tri-City lead was 3-1 entering the third period of play.
Sioux City came back to even the score with goals from Jake Montgomery and Jared Thomas and tied the game with under 12 minutes to play. The Storm counted on their penalty kill to fend off two Musketeer power play chances to keep the game tied.
Ward's goal came with just 45 seconds left on the clock, giving Tri-City the lead for good. But Sioux City had one last chance, hitting the post as time expired and falling inches short of overtime.
The Storm are off tomorrow will take on in-state rival Lincoln in a home-and-home series next week, with the first game in Lincoln on Friday night. The series will wrap up back in Kearney on Saturday night. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.
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