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USHL Lincoln Stars

Battered Stars Rally in Sioux City

February 12, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release


SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The Lincoln Stars (21-12-2-2) were shorthanded up front, but dug deep for a complete team victory against the Sioux City Musketeers (21-13-3-1), winning 4-2 on the road at Tyson Events Center on Friday night. Here are five things that happened:

1.) KEEPING IT CLOSE

The Musketeers came out flying to begin Friday's game, striking twice in the first nine minutes. Ben Doran took advantage of an erratic shot from Tomi Leppanen that hit the glass behind the Stars net, firing the puck into the net after the careening ricochet at 5:48. Ben Steeves deflected a point shot from Griffin Ludtke past Kaidan Mbereko at 8:55, making it 2-0 Musketeers.

However, Mbereko stepped up and made a number of crucial stops to keep his team in it, including a glove save on a Kirklan Irey breakaway with under two minutes left in the opening frame. After the first period, the Stars were outshot 13-8 and trailed by two goals.

2.) SECOND-PERIOD RALLY

Lincoln used the momentum generated by Mbereko to spark a few offensive chances, but Axel Mangbo held the Stars scoreless through the first half of the game.

However, after failing to score on two first-period power plays, the Stars were given a third chance when Nick Pierre was sent to the box for slashing. On the ensuing 5-on-4, Luke Johnson ripped a shot from the slot past Mangbo at 10:44 for his tenth goal of the season.

Sioux City looked like they were about to clear the zone, but Jo Lemay somehow kept the puck in along the left point and quickly passed the puck across to Dalton Norris. Norris then hit Johnson in between the circles, allowing the 20-year-old forward a clean look at the net.

Under two minutes later, Antonio Fernandez tied the game with a seeing-eye point shot for his eighth goal of the year after a Mason Marcellus face-off win. Gleb Veremyev helped scoop the puck back to Fernandez, who beat Mangbo blocker-side from well out at 12:03.

After 40 minutes, Lincoln was knotted up 2-2 with Sioux City, despite the shot totals reading 26-15 Musketeers.

3.) OLIVER'S GAME-WINNER

Dashel Oliver made an impact all night long in his first appearance with the Stars since mid-December after being called up due to Lincoln's injury/suspension issues up front. With Noah Laba, Doug Grimes, Lucas Wahlin, Griffin Jurecki and newly added Brayden Stannard sidelined, Oliver delivered in his 12th career USHL game.

After Sioux City's clear from their defensive zone hit referee Brian Hankes, Mason Marcellus collected the puck from the far-side half-boards and hit a streaking Oliver down the slot.

Oliver's initial shot was denied by the left toe of Mangbo, but the 16-year-old directed a second try from below the goal line that hit Mangbo's left skate and bounced in. The University of Nebraska-Omaha commit's second goal of the year came at 3:42, sparking the Stars bench even more.

4.) JOHNSON ADDS ANOTHER

Five minutes after Oliver's go-ahead marker, Ralfs Bergmanis and Doran took penalties 16 seconds apart, giving Lincoln a 5-on-3 advantage with a 3-2 lead in the game.

The Stars unit went to work on the next face-off, setting up Johnson for his 11th goal of the year and second power-play goal of the game at 8:57. Aidan Thompson set up Norris at the point for a one-timer that was stopped by Mangbo, but Johnson was glued to the right goal line ready for the loose puck and buried the wide-open chance.

Johnson has three goals in his last three games and seven points in his last nine outings.

5.) MBEREKO STEALS THE SHOW (AND THE GAME)

And when Sioux City attempted to claw their way back, No. 30 in gray was there to deny them each and every time. Mbereko made 36 saves, picking up his tenth win of the season.

He shut the door with 12 third-period saves, extinguishing Sioux City's hopes of a comeback win. His poise and focus stood out in the first period, which helped settle down a Stars roster that could only dress ten forwards. If not for him, Lincoln would have found themselves in a much worse spot than a 2-0 hole after 20 minutes.

Over Mbereko's last five starts, he's posted a record of 4-0-1 with a save percentage of .919. With the win, the Stars now sit in second place in the Western Conference, tied with Sioux City with 46 points.

Lincoln has one more ROW (regulation/overtime wins) than the Musketeers, so they would hold the second seed in the West if the season ended today.

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