Bruns Backstops Lancers in 2-1 Shootout Win at Des Moines
Published on February 8, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Des Moines, Iowa - Cole Bruns registered 35 saves through regulation and overtime and then denied all three Des Moines attempts in the shootout as the Omaha Lancers prevailed with a 2-1 victory over the Buccaneers Friday evening in front of 3,402 fans at Buccaneer Arena. With the win, the Lancers improved to 26-17 overall this season and maintained sole possession of fourth place in the Western Conference with 52 standings points. Omaha remains one standings point ahead of the Lincoln Stars in advance of tomorrow's Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice. The Lancers have now won four straight games and nine of their last 10 overall as the team improved to a perfect 8-0 in shootouts this season.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the opening period despite a combined 13 shots on goal. Bruns registered seven saves on seven Buccaneers shots while Des Moines goaltender Nick Ellis turned aside the six Lancers shots that came his way in the first period.
The scoreless deadlock remained through the middle stanza as well as Bruns and Ellis combined for 24 saves on 24 combined second period offerings. Bruns turned aside all 11 Buccaneers bids on goal in the middle frame while Ellis recorded 13 saves on 13 Lancers shots in the second period.
The Lancers finally broke through early in the third period when, while on the power play, Gage Hough redirected Matias Cleland's left point one-timer for his sixth goal of the season. Robbie Baillargeon earned the secondary assist on the man-advantage marker netted 1:42 into the final period. The goal marked the 23rd time in 43 games this season that the Lancers have scored first as Omaha improved to 18-5 when scoring first this year. Omaha also improved to 19-5 when scoring a power play goal this season. Des Moines evened the contest just over five minutes later when Luke Voltin snapped in his sixth goal of the season 6:43 into the period from Ali Thomas and Drew Callin.
The 1-1 tie remained through regulation and overtime before the Lancers pulled away in the shootout when Tyler Moy notched the only goal for either side in the extra session.
Bruns earned the victory in goal for Omaha after 35 saves on 36 Buccaneers shots and another three denials in the shootout. With the win, Bruns is now 7-5 on the year and 2-0 against Des Moines. Meanwhile, Buccaneers' netminder Nick Ellis suffered the shootout defeat despite 28 saves on 29 Lancers shots. Ellis is now 9-7-3 overall this season and 1-1-1 against the Lancers.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow afternoon when the team faces off against the Lincoln Stars in the Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice at TD Ameritrade Park. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:35 PM.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2013
- Storm Drop Tight One in Lincoln - Tri-City Storm
- Phantoms Come up Big in 3rd Period, Down Gamblers 5-2 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Saints End Roadtrip with 2-1 Shootout Win Friday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede Stumble vs Waterloo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- First and Third, Two Out - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Bruns Backstops Lancers in 2-1 Shootout Win at Des Moines - Omaha Lancers
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Rolls over Czech Republic, 5-1, at 2013 Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
- Ice, Phantoms Clash in Fieldhouse "Family Sunday" Match - Indiana Ice
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Edged by Sweden, 4-3, at 2013 Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
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