USHL Lincoln Stars

5 Things: Mastrodomenico Shines in 5-2 Win over Sioux Falls

Published on November 6, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release


The Lincoln Stars (8-3-1) extended their winning streak to three games with a 5-2 win over the Sioux Falls Stampede. Here are five things that happened:

1.) M(ASTRO)VP

Michael Mastrodomenico recorded the first two-goal game of his career on Friday night, earning himself the No. 1 Star of the Game with his performance.

The 17-year-old defenseman notched his third goal of the season five minutes into the second period after being set up at the left circle by Noah Laba. Mastrodomenico placed a perfect shot short-side on Sioux Falls netminder Noah Grannan, giving the Stars a 2-0 lead.

He also added a crucial insurance marker in the third period, joining the rush and potting his fourth goal of the year at 17:25.

Gleb Veremyev cut around the net from the nearside goal line and threw a back pass to the trailing Mastrodomenico, who had a wide-open net. Aside from his offensive performance, the Kirkland, QC native was strong defensively, forcing Sioux Falls attackers to the perimeter and defusing dump-ins.

Mastrodomenico has seven points in 12 games this season, following an eight-point rookie campaign in 2021-22.

2.) JURECKI SCORES TWICE

Griffin Jurecki joined his teammate by lighting the lamp two times, as well. Following Mastrodomenico's first goal, Jurecki's forward line was establishing heavy forecheck and possession in the attacking zone. Antonio Fernandez helped keep the play alive with a pinch from the far-side point, forcing Sioux Falls to retrieve.

The Stampede then turned the puck over in the slot as a pass ricocheted onto the stick of Lucas Wahlin. Wahlin tapped it to Aidan Thompson, who fed it across for Jurecki for an easy finish.

The University of Denver commit also scored an empty-net goal at the end of the game to secure the win for Lincoln. Jurecki has eight points this season, already surpassing his total (seven) in 33 appearances last year in limited ice time.

3.) Shorty Time

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That was Aidan Thompson's mantra after he was stopped on a shorthanded breakaway in the opening period. Following the glove save by Grannan, Laba recovered the rebound and fed the puck to a far side, where Jo Lemay was entering the zone.

Lemay drove to the left circle and twirled a backhanded pass to Thompson, who was lurking in the slot. The Stars alternate captain ripped a shot off the left shoulder of Grannan and in for his second goal of 2021-22.

Thompson also added two assists in Lincoln's 5-2 victory, capping off a three-point night. Over his last nine games, the 19-year-old forward has racked up 14 points. He currently ranks second in the USHL in assists and seventh in points.

4.) Another Start, Another Win

We probably sound like a broken record, but Cameron Whitehead was solid once again on Friday night, making 22 saves. The 18-year-old collected his fourth consecutive win and improved his unbeaten streak in regulation to six games.

Whitehead leads the USHL in save percentage (.944) and is second in goals-against average (1.71). Lincoln's defense certainly helped their goaltender by blocking shots and clearing traffic, but Whitehead still had to come up big on several occasions Friday night.

His best save came in the second period in a 1-0 game following a deflection from Adam Zlnka in the slot. Max Rud's shot from the point was headed towards Whitehead's left side, but he quickly lashed the right leg out after the re-direct, making an important save.

Mastrodomenico scored less than three minutes later and Jurecki scored four minutes after that. If Whitehead allows the goal from Zlnka, we may have been talking about a different outcome.

5.) Staying On Top

With Friday's win, the Stars remain in first place in the Western Conference with 17 points. Lincoln had not been atop the West since late October of 2019 when the club amassed a record of 6-2-1-1 out of the gate. The second-place Tri-City Storm have three games-in-hand on the Stars but will play Sioux City in a two-game series beginning on Saturday night.

However, the start for Lincoln bodes well due to their strength early on. For example, their penalty kill was 7-for-8 on Friday night as the Stars rank fourth in the USHL with an 87.1 percent success rate so far this season. Their power play (21.7 percent) is second-best in the Western Conference. They allow the fifth-least goals against per game in the league (2.75).

If Lincoln continues to outscore their opponent 5-on-5 and control the special teams battle, this group has the opportunity to do something special.

We're twelve games in, but we're already seeing the building blocks take shape for this year and the future. Mastrodomenico and Jurecki's multi-goal outings on Friday night were evidence of that.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2021


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