Despite Controversy, Lancers Prevail 4-3 in Shootout over Tri-City
Published on March 13, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Ralston, Neb. - Connor Chatham scored two goals in regulation before Kyle Osterberg and Drew Melanson both converted in the shootout as the Omaha Lancers outlasted the Tri-City Storm 4-3 Wednesday evening in front of 2,601 fans at the Ralston Arena. With the win, Omaha improved to 32-23 overall this season and moved to within one point of both the Lincoln Stars and Waterloo Black Hawks for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West. The Lancers are now a perfect 9-0 in shootouts this season.
Omaha opened the scoring just over two minutes into the contest when intense forechecking pressure created a takeaway in the Tri-City zone producing a two-on-one between Luca Frigo and Chatham resulting in Chatham's 16th goal of the season. Tyler Moy earned the secondary assist on the even strength strike netted 2:12 into the first period. The goal marked the 30th time in 55 games this season that the Lancers have scored first.
Tri-City evened the game a little over seven minutes into the second frame when an Omaha turnover at center ice produced a breakout opportunity for Brian Ward who executed a solid power move into the slot before finishing his 21st goal of the year. Grant Opperman earned the only assist on the five-on-five goal which extended Ward's scoring streak to 12 straight games. The Lancers regained the lead with just under two minutes left in the period when a stretch pass by Frigo found Chatham behind the Storm defense leading to his second goal of the game and 17th conversion of the season. Ben Ostlie grabbed the secondary helper and now has four assists in his last three outings. Tri-City bounced right back though and evened the contest less than a minute later when Jared Linnell snapped in his 11th goal of the year from a sharp angle on the left wing. Michael Vecchione and Trevor Moore assisted on the even strength goal notched exactly 19:00 into the middle stanza.
The Storm then grabbed their first and only lead of the night a little better than seven minutes into the final period of regulation an apparent high stick deflection goal by Grant Opperman went unnoticed as the initial centering feed by Trevor Mingoia was allowed to stand as Mingoia's 13th goal this season. Cutler Martin earned the secondary assist on the five-on-five conversion netted 7:26 into the third period. Then, after an apparent shorthanded goal by Tri-City was disallowed, the Lancers evened the game with just under two minutes left in regulation thanks to a five-on-three power play goal by Jake Randolph. Moy and Tucker Poolman assisted on Randolph's 12th goal of the year.
After a scoreless overtime, Osterberg and Melanson then both scored in the shootout while Omaha goaltender Alex Lyon turned aside two of three Tri-City attempts sealing the win for the Lancers. Lyon registered 17 saves on 20 shots in regulation improving to 25-17 overall this year. The veteran netminder now leads all USHL goaltenders with six shootout victories this season. Meanwhile, Tri-City's Justin Quale suffered the shootout loss after 19 saves on 22 Lancers shots. Quale is now 7-6-3 this year.
The Lancers are back in action this Friday evening when the team welcomes the defending Clark Cup champion Green Bay Gamblers to Ralston Arena.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2013
- Omaha Defeats Storm in Shootout - Tri-City Storm
- Despite Controversy, Lancers Prevail 4-3 in Shootout over Tri-City - Omaha Lancers
- Phantoms Continue Road Swing Thursday in Dubuque - Youngstown Phantoms
- USHL Update - Week 24 - USHL
- Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 25 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Sweet Homecoming in Chicago for Papa - Waterloo Black Hawks
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