5 Things: Lemay, Stars Walk off the Lancers
February 21, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The Lincoln Stars (23-13-2-3) shocked the Omaha Lancers (22-13-3-2) after Jo Lemay scored with 0.5 seconds left in the third period, leading to a 4-3 win in regulation. Here are five things that happened:
1.) HERE WE JO AGAIN
With the Stars trailing by a goal late in the third period, Noah Laba scored his seventh goal of the season after a pass from Luke Johnson that tied the game at three goals apiece.
Mason Marcellus drew a penalty with under 25 seconds left in the third, meaning there was enough time for the Stars to get a chance or two on the power play before overtime. However, when the Lancers cleared the puck two hundred feet down the ice with under 15 seconds left, the game was destined for extra time.
Lemay charged through the defensive zone in the last ten seconds and hit Marcellus with a pass in the neutral zone, allowing the Stars forward to chip the puck past an Omaha defender into the offensive zone. Marcellus was first to the puck along the right-wing half-boards and returned the feed back for Lemay at the point.
With the clock winding down, Lemay settled the puck and whipped a shot from the right point past Thomas Heaney as time expired.
The green light illuminated behind the Lancers net, but the red light came on first with 0.5 seconds remaining. Lincoln's bench erupted as the Stars contingency of fans in enemy territory rejoiced at the improbable finish. Cameron Whitehead (21 saves) skated off the ice with his team before they were called back for one final face-off.
Lemay's goal was his sixth of the season, marking his team-leading fourth game-winning goal in 2021-22.
2.) FERNANDEZ HITS DOUBLE DIGITS
To start the afternoon, a different Stars blueliner opened the scoring. With Lincoln down 1-0 after an early Matt Basgall goal, Antonio Fernandez scored his second power-play goal of the year at 18:35. Fernandez's goal was his tenth in his first USHL campaign and third against the Lancers this season. Marcellus and Carter Schade were given the assists after a great passing play to set up the College of the Holy Cross commit at the right circle. Fernandez's shot blew past Thomas Heaney's glove-side. Gleb Veremyev provided a perfect screen, shielding the goaltender's eyes completely.
Fernandez is currently riding a season-high six-game point streak (four goals, three assists). The 18-year-old ranks second on the Stars defense in goals, trailing only Dalton Norris.
3.) A BAKER'S DOZEN FOR NORRIS
And speaking of the captain hailing from Oxford, MI, Norris continued his breakout campaign with another solid performance on Sunday. While the Stars trailed 2-1 following Cam Mitchell's strike at 11:59, Lincoln was sent on another late power-play in the dying minutes of a period.
With the top power-play unit out, the Stars were failing to get much generated, until Lucas Wahlin kept a puck in at the blue line that drew three different Lancers players. Wahlin dove to chop the puck down the right-wing boards, sending the ricochet to Norris, who walked into the slot.
The 20-year-old beat Heaney past the blocker hand, scoring his team-leading 16th goal of the season at 19:30. Not only that, but it was also his 13th PPG through 41 games this season.
The Bowling Green State University commit has tied Chris Fournier (2000-01) for the fourth-most power-play goals in a single season in Stars franchise history. Christian Sarlo (2019-20) and Kevin Roy (2011-12) sit above him with 14 PPGs.
4.) MARCELLUS ADDS TWO MORE ASSISTS
Another player who stepped up in the comeback win over the Lancers was Marcellus, collecting assists on Fernandez and Lemay's goals. The 19-year-old was critical in Lincoln's forecheck all afternoon, pestering the Omaha defense and forcing turnovers.
On Lemay's game-winner, Marcellus helped force the puck into the attacking zone, but he would not be denied possession along the boards. Once he touched up, he pitchforked it back to Lemay despite several Lancers pressuring him. Without the Quinnipiac commit's effort, Lemay doesn't get the pass in time and the game remains tied after regulation.
He also helped the Stars get put on the late power-play leading up to Lemay's goal, drawing a slash on Frank D'Ancona after Marcellus toe-dragged the puck around the Lancers forward. D'Ancona slashed the stick out of Marcellus' hands, leading to Lincoln's 5-on-4 with under thirty seconds left.
Marcellus piled up four assists in the final two games of Lincoln's weekend series and also scored the game-winning goal in the shootout on Saturday. The 19-year-old is up to 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in his first USHL campaign.
5.) ANOTHER FIVE-POINT WEEKEND
With the victory on Sunday, the Stars have jumped above the Lancers in the Western Conference despite Omaha maintaining a game-in-hand over Lincoln. Sioux City holds a one-point lead over Lincoln for the second seed with 21 games left to play.
In the midst of a playoff push, the Stars have been taking care of business. Lincoln has posted a 5-1-1-1 record in their last eight games, picking up important points in hopes of clinching a first-round bye in the Clark Cup Playoffs, which will take place in late April.
Over their last two three-game weekends, they've accumulated five points each (4-0-0-2) despite being down players due to injury and suspension.
With still plenty of hockey to be played, the Stars are positioning themselves for their first playoff berth since 2017-18.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2022
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- 5 Things: Lemay, Stars Walk off the Lancers - Lincoln Stars
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