Comeback Falls Short in 3-2 Loss at Chicago
April 3, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers vs. the Chicago Steel
(Omaha Lancers)
Geneva, IL - Jack Gessert scored twice in the final period of regulation for the Chicago Steel on Sunday afternoon on route to a 3-2 win over the Omaha Lancers at Fox Valley Ice Arena.
There was no scoring in the opening period, however, Omaha held the Chicago Steel to just three shots on net. That total was Chicago's lowest first period shot total of the season. The best scoring chance of the opening frame came off the stick of Lancers forward JC MacLean. In the neutral zone, Matt Meier dished the puck off to his right side and MacLean ripped a shot off the crossbar to keep the game scoreless.
The Lancers took their first lead of the weekend off the stick of Jake Massie. Early in the second period, Lancers defenseman Cody Fleckenstein threw the puck from the left wall to the top of the crease. After the puck deflected, John Wojciechowski gathered it, turned, and fired a shot that was stopped with the pads of Chicago netminder John Lethemon. Jake Massie didn't give up on the side of the net and push the rebound through the legs of Lethemon and into the net. The goal was Massie's fourth of the year and came at the 2:09 mark.
Later in the same period, the Steel evened the score at one goal apiece. Samuel Bucek won the face-off for Chicago in their right wing circle by pulling the puck off the draw to his left. Christiano Versich skated in and took possession, immediately lifting a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Lancers goaltender Zackarias Skog to tie the game at 6:14 of the middle period. The goal was Versich's ninth of the year with the lone assist going to Bucek on the face-off win. With the helper, Bucek collected his fifth assist and seventh point overall on the year.
Tied heading to the third period, Chicago's Jack Gessert scored a pair of goals to give the Steel a 3-1 lead. Gessert's first tally of the night came on a wrist shot from the top of the offensive zone circles that beat Zackarias Skog for the 2-1 lead. Gessert's first of the night was his eighth of the year with the only assist going to Christiano Versich at 6:25 of the final period.
The second goal of the night, and of the period by Gessert, came during a power play on an odd-man rush in the offensive zone. Samuel Bucek fed Gessert on the side of the net for the tap-in goal and a two-goal lead at 10:28 of the third period. Gessert's second goal of the game was his ninth of the season and held up as the eventual game-winning goal.
Omaha responded late in the game with the net empty. Nathan Krusko hit Josh French with a pass in the right wing circle and the team-leader in points beat a sprawling John Lethemon in net to bring the Lancers back to a one-goal deficit. The goal was French's 16th of the year with an assist from Nathan Krusko and came with 1:17 left in the game. However, after a late push with the net empty again, Chicago held on for the 3-2 win over the Omaha Lancers.
The Lancers return home Friday night in the final game at Ralston Arena this season. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. CT against the Tri-City Storm on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Nebraska Lottery. First 1,000 fans receive a FREE team poster! Also, first 300 fans get a FREE NE Lottery Koozie. It's $1 Suds & Dogs through the start of the second period. Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning right at 5:50 p.m. CT with the Valpak Pregame Show on News Talk 1290, the Omaha Lancers Mobile App, online at www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.
Images from this story
 Omaha Lancers vs. the Chicago Steel |
United States Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2016
- Steel Skate to 3-2 Victory Sunday - Chicago Steel
- Gamblers Take Care of Fighting Saints at Home - Green Bay Gamblers
- Gamblers Pull Through in Third, Top Fighting Saints - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Comeback Falls Short in 3-2 Loss at Chicago - Omaha Lancers
- Hawks Recognize Season Stars - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Gamblers Shutout Team USA - Green Bay Gamblers
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