USHL Lincoln Stars

Declan's Last-Minute Dagger Moves Stars Past Stampede

November 9, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release


On Friday, the Stars hosted the Sioux Falls Stampede for the first time since Lincoln's playoff triumph in the first round of last year's postseason.

The rematch was a slow-starting affair. Shots for each side were limited as each defense buckled down in front of solid goaltending from Stars starter Jacob Mucitelli and Stampede netminder Jaxson Stauber.

The first score of the contest came via Sam Stevens on a one-timer set up by a perfect corner pass from Matt Cameron. With no further scoring in the first period, the second followed a similar pattern. Each side traded unsuccessful power plays, while each goalie put a stop to the chances that made their way on cage.

Finally at 12:46, Phil Lapointe hopped on a puck and sped ahead to create a 2-on-1 rush with Tristan Ashbrook. Off a perfect feed across the slot, a fresh off the IR Ashbrook ripped a shot past Stauber for the game-tying goal.

The score from one of their assistant captains and veteran leaders rallied the Stars attack as they began a late-period push that drew a late-period power play. Though it would ultimately be cancelled by an ever-improving Stampede penalty kill, the Stars would use the opportunities and zone time generated to fuel their offense into the third.

In the final frame, the Stars and Stampede battled to a scoreless draw through the first 19 minutes of play. The Stars saw repeated near misses off their continued effort to pick the top corners of Stauber's net. A penalty taken by the Stampede with 1:45 gave the Stars their chance to finally cash in.

After several unsuccessful forays into the zone, Declan Carlile broke through. Racing down the left wing on the rush, the lefty let go a blast from the circle that beat Stauber for a 2-1 lead. In the closing seconds, Mucitelli fended off a last-second surge by Sioux Falls to secure the victory. His stellar play-33 saves on 34 shots-and Lincoln's resurgent power play-three goals in their last two games-are boons to a team that feels they are close to putting it all together.

Having recorded points in three-straight games, Lincoln will look to keep the points coming as they travel to take on Sioux City tomorrow at 7:05 pm.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2018


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