Comeback Falls Short in 5-3 Loss to EC Red Bull Salzburg

September 17, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release

Ralston, NE - The Omaha Lancers stormed back in the third period to even the game at three goals apiece, however the visiting EC Red Bull Salzburg picked up two more strikes including an empty-net goal on route to a 5-3 win over the Lancers inside Ralston Arena on Thursday night.

After no scoring in the first period, EC Red Bull Salzburg started it in the middle frame. Johannes Huss and Maximilian Egger worked the puck below the goal line as Christoph Koerner moved to the front of the net. Koerner took the pass from behind the net and let a one-timer go that beat Lancers' goaltender Zach Driscoll for a 1-0 lead at 5:23 of the second period. Huss and Egger were credited with the helpers.

Maximilian Egger notched his second point of the period and first goal of the night while on the power play. As the Lancers were in the midst of a line change, Egger waited at the far blue line and took a long pass from Pavel Pycha. As the Lancers tried to get back, Egger skated in alone and let a wrist shot go from the right wing circle that beat Driscoll by his blocker pad for a 2-0 lead at 14:37 of the second period.

After a turnover by the Lancers early in the third period, Florian Baltram skated quickly down the right wing side of the ice and fired a wrist shot that gave EC Red Bull Salzburg a 3-0 advantage just 34-seconds into final stanza. The lone assist was given to Marek Valach.

The comeback started less than two minutes later while on the power play. At 2:05 of the third period, Nick Rivers spun around and sent a pass out to the side of the crease for Josh French. After the initial save by EC Red Bull Salzburg goaltender Woulter Peeters, French took his own rebound and lifted the puck over his left shoulder to get the Lancers on the board trailing 3-1. Rivera and Jake Gingell were credited with assists on French's first of the preseason.

Another power play opportunity midway through the final period pulled the Lancers within a single goal. After EC Red Bull Salzburg's Christof Wappis took a double minor penalty, Omaha set up on the power play. Nick Rivers took the puck on the right side and sent it cross-ice to Grant Gabriele at the top of the left wing circle. Gabriele let a slap shot fly that sailed low to the ice and went off the left post and in to pull decrease their deficit to one goal. It was Gabriele's first of the preseason while French and Rivera recorded their second points of the night.

William Fallstrom found a rebound after help from Michael Montambault and Hank Crone to even the game at three goals 12:26 into the final frame. After the original shot on net, Fallstrom skated across the top of the crease and fired in the loose puck to tie the game 3-3 with his first of the preseason. Montambault's assist was his third point of the preseason while Crone had his first.

Maximilian Egger's second goal of the night on a power play rebound and Lukas Kainz's empty-net goal late in the game provided EC Red Bull Salzburg with their first win against USHL teams. Lancers' goaltender Zach Driscoll stopped 18 of 22 shots while EC Red Bull Salzburg's Woulter Peeters denied 17 of 20.

The Omaha Lancers return to Ralston Arena tomorrow night to face the defending Clark Cup Champion Sioux Falls Stampede. This game will take place on the main ice inside Ralston Arena at 7:05pm and can be seen LIVE on FASTHockey.com. For tickets call 402-344-PUCK, visit homepridetix.com, or the Ralston Arena Box Office.

Omaha Lancers in Preseason Action

United States Hockey League Stories from September 17, 2015

• Comeback Falls Short in 5-3 Loss to EC Red Bull Salzburg - Omaha Lancers
• Stars Beat Fargo 4-0 in 'Battle in Lincoln' - Lincoln Stars
• Hawks Turn Tables on Bucs - Waterloo Black Hawks

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