USHL Omaha Lancers

Game Recap: Second Period Lifts Jacks over Lancers, 4-2

February 27, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


Omaha Lancers Control the Puck vs. the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Omaha Lancers Control the Puck vs. the Muskegon Lumberjacks
(Omaha Lancers)

Muskegon, MI - Two goals in the second period just 24-seconds apart propelled the Muskegon Lumberjacks to a 4-2 victory over the visiting Omaha Lancers on Saturday night in front of over 3,800 fans at L.C Walker Arena.

After being denied on their first power play of the night, the Lumberjacks capitalized on their second. Matej Paulovic snuck around the Lancers defense and waited at the far blue line. Meanwhile, Rem Pitlick received a pass from Grant Gabriele in Muskegon's defensive zone and immediately sent it over the center ice line and onto the stick of Paulovic. After moving quickly to the top of the crease, Paulovic beat goaltender Kris Oldham for the 1-0 lead at the 16:38 mark. Assists on Paulovic's 13th of the season were credited to Pitlick and Gabriele.

After Omaha came out flying in the second period, one rush back the other way for Muskegon gave them a two-goal lead. Charlie Gerard and Matej Paulovic both moved into their offensive zone on a two-on-one rush for the Lumberjacks. Paulovic was denied by Kris Oldham, but, Muskegon's Grant Gabriele followed up with the rebound goal to take a 2-0 lead at 16:09 of the middle frame.

Less than one minute later, Gabriele helped factor in on another goal after sending a pass up the ice to Tyler Irvine. Irvine played the puck right to Rem Pitlick and he went down to the left wing circle firing the shot top shelf over Oldham for his 33rd of the year and a 3-0 lead for the Lumberjacks. Assists on the Pitlick tally were credited to Gabriele and Irvine.

In the third period Omaha pulled within two goals on the power play and with the net empty courtesy of Brannon McManus. Just inside the blue line, Jake Massie played the puck over the McManus in the left wing circle and he fired a one-timer by the blocker of Joey Daccord. The goal was McManus' 14th of the season and came 12:38 of the third period. The lone assist went to Massie on the pass front the point.

The Lancers kept Kris Oldham on the bench down by a pair of goals but Lucas Michaud intercepted the puck in front of the net for Muskegon and tapped it in for the unassisted empty-net goal. The goal gave the Lumberjacks a 4-1 lead with 5:13 left in the game.

Omaha added a goal late with just over 30-seconds left in the game. Nathan Krusko scooped up the rebound at the top of the crease and slid the puck by the left leg pad of Joey Daccord for his 13th of the year and the Lancers trailed 4-2. That held up as the final on Saturday night while Lancers goaltender Kris Oldham had a 19-save performance. At the other end, Joey Daccord put aside 46 of 48 shots that Omaha fired on net.

The Lancers finish their road trip tomorrow afternoon in Plymouth, Michigan to battle the U17's at 1:00 p.m. CST. Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 12:45 p.m. CST with the Valpak Pregame Show on "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL, Mighty 1290 KOIL Mobile APP, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.

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Omaha Lancers Control the Puck vs. the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Omaha Lancers Control the Puck vs. the Muskegon Lumberjacks
   



United States Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2016


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