Balanced Offense Guides Lancers 6-2 Past Fargo
Published on January 29, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha, Neb. - Six different Lancers scored a goal while 15 different Omaha skaters registered at least one point as a balanced Lancers offensive attack overwhelmed the Fargo Force 6-2 Sunday evening in front of 2,793 fans at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. With the win, Omaha improved to 23-12-2 on the year and increased its Western Conference-leading standings points total to 48. The Lancers have now won eight of their last 10 games and 14 of 18 overall. The loss was just the second in the last 12 games for Fargo who saw its six-game road winning streak snapped on Sunday.
Omaha grabbed the game's opening goal 7:37 into period one when a shot from the high slot by Anthony Hamburg produced a rebound off Fargo goaltender Zane Gothberg which was promptly stashed home by Max Vallis for his 11th goal of the season. Ben Ostlie earned the secondary assist on the goal, which marked the 18th time in 37 games this season that the Lancers have scored the game's first goal.
Omaha doubled its lead early in the second period when Nolan Zajac executed a beautiful move on the left wing before solving Gothberg for his sixth goal of the season. Victor Newell and Tanner Lane assisted on the goal netted 1:43 into the middle stanza, which stretched Zajac's point streak to seven consecutive games. The Lancers then stretched their lead to a 3-0 advantage 9:13 into the second period when Kevin Schulze sent a seeing-eye shot from the left point that slipped through traffic and past Gothberg for Schulze's first career USHL goal. Eli Lichtenwald and Mark Miller assisted on the five-on-five even strength marker. Fargo trimmed Omaha's lead down to two 18:04 into the period when, off a clean faceoff win by Gabe Guertler, Dave Gust one-timed home his seventh goal of the year.
The Lancers reestablished their three-goal lead 8:57 into period three when, while on a five-on-three power play, Kenney Morrison launched a one-timer from the left point through Gothberg for his sixth goal of the season. Zajac and Ken Babinski assisted on the man advantage marker, which was Omaha's 14th power play goal scored during the last nine games. Fargo climbed back to within two 13:51 into the final period when Bryn Chyzyk netted his 20th goal of the season but that's as close as the Force would get as the Lancers pulled away with two goals in the final four minutes. First, Jimmy Murray scored his 10th goal of the season 16:08 into the third period with an assist from Greg Gozzo. Then, Michael Ferrantino landed the final nail in the coffin with 46 seconds remaining after redirecting Zajac's shot from the left point.
Alex Lyon earned the victory in goal for Omaha after 29 saves on 31 Force shots. With the win, Lyon stretched his personal winning streak to six straight games and improved his overall record on the year to 17-8-2. Meanwhile, Gothberg suffered the loss for Fargo after just 22 saves on 28 Lancers shots. The loss was just Gothberg's second in his last 12 starts.
The Lancers are back in action next Friday evening when the team travels to Fargo for a 7:35 PM rematch with the Force.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2012
- Jacks Fight Back, But Saints Pull out Overtime Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Balanced Offense Guides Lancers 6-2 Past Fargo - Omaha Lancers
- Fighting Saints Come Back to Win 4-3 in Overtime in Muskegon - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Hawks Cruise Past Buccaneers - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Fighting Saints to Wrap up Road Trip this Evening in Muskegon - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm Rally Down Two Goals, Win 3-2 in S.O. - Tri-City Storm
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