Aston-Reese Hat Trick Helps Lincoln Outlast Lancers 4-3
April 5, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Lincoln, Neb. - Zachary Aston-Reese scored three times Friday evening as the Lincoln Stars outlasted the Omaha Lancers 4-3 in front of a sold out crowd of 4,365 fans at the Lincoln Ice Box. Omaha's loss coupled with Waterloo's 4-3 shootout victory in Dubuque means the Lancers are mathematically eliminated from the 2013 Clark Cup Playoffs. It's the first time Omaha has missed the USHL postseason in 24 years. The Lancers are now 33-27-1 overall this season and have dropped 11 of their last 16 games overall.
Lincoln grabbed the game's opening goal a little over three minutes into the contest when a clean faceoff win in the offensive zone resulted in a centering pass to the top of the Omaha goal crease which was promptly tipped in by Aston-Reese for his seventh goal of the season. Paul LaDue and Dominick Shine assisted on the even strength strike netted 3:25 into the contest. The tally marked the 30th time in 61 games this season that the Lancers have surrendered the game's first goal. Omaha is now 9-20-1 when allowing the game's first goal this year. The Lancers evened the contest with just under five minutes remaining in the period when a perfect centering pass out of the right corner by Matt Gaudreau found Dominic Racobaldo streaking down the slot who made no mistake in punching in his seventh goal of the year. Kyle Osterberg grabbed the secondary assist on the five-on-five conversion 15:28 into the opening frame. The Stars regained the lead though just over a minute and a half later when Aston-Reese collected a rebound off Lancers goaltender Alex Lyon before swatting in his second of the game and eighth conversion of the year. Justin Woods and Jimmy DeVito assisted on the even strength goal netted 17:02 into the first period.
Lincoln's one-goal lead remained through much of the second stanza until, with just four seconds remaining, Tucker Poolman backhanded in his league-leading 12th power play goal of the season. Jake Randolph and Connor Chatham assisted on Poolman's 13th strike of the year. The primary assist was Randolph's team-leading 42nd point this season.
The Stars regained the lead less than two minutes into the final period when Vinni Lettieri unleashed a left wing slap shot that sizzled into the back of the Omaha cage for his 23rd goal of the year. Eric Scheid and Phillip Marinaccio assisted on the even strength strike netted 1:44 into the final period. The Lancers bounced right back though and evened the game once again just over a minute later when Tyler Hynes connected with Grant Besse at the side of the Lincoln net for Besse's third goal in six games since coming to Omaha. The five-on-five conversion came 2:56 into the third period. The Stars would have the final say though as Aston-Reese completed his hat trick 11:16 into the period with his ninth goal of the season and first game-winning tally this season.
Lincoln's Jackson Teichroeb earned the victory in goal after 29 saves on 32 shots. With the win, Teichroeb improved to 16-10-2 overall this year and has now won five straight starts in goal. Meanwhile, Lyon suffered the setback for Omaha despite 26 saves on 30 Stars shots. Making his 24th start over Omaha's last 27 games, Lyon moved to 26-20-1 on the year.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow evening when they welcome the Lincoln Stars back to Ralston Arena for a 7:15 PM showdown.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2013
- Stampede's Road Winning Streak Ends in Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Everybody Wins in Dubuque - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Sioux City Knocks off Shorthanded Storm - Tri-City Storm
- Aston-Reese Hat Trick Helps Lincoln Outlast Lancers 4-3 - Omaha Lancers
- Walker, Anas Power Phantoms Past USA; Romeo Picks up 29th Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- Wey, Hayes Sign NHL Deals - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Ice Start Four-Game Homestand this Weekend vs. Team USA, Youngstown - Indiana Ice
- First Round Playoff Tickets Go on Sale this Monday - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Pan Am Sports To Assume Operation Of Pan Am Plaza Rinks - Indiana Ice
- Lancers Tender F Jake Henderson for 2013-14 Season - Omaha Lancers
- Former Stampede Forward Matt Lindblad Signs with Boston Bruins - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Green & Gold Update - Sioux City Musketeers
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