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March 28, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL) - Lincoln Stars News Release


LINCOLN (31-18-3-1)

The Stars clinched a postseason berth last weekend for the 19th time in franchise history and for the first time in consecutive seasons since 2011-13 by taking three-of-four points in a weekend home-and-home set with the Sioux City Musketeers. Lincoln fell, 4-3, in a shootout last Friday night in its most recent home game but bounced back to pick up a 5-2 road victory the next night.

Stars forward Dashel Oliver has hit his stride in the last nine games, scoring four goals and adding two assists. That accounts for 60-percent of his point production this season and he is looking to score a goal for a third consecutive game today. Oliver skated on a line with Brennan Ali and Tanner Ludtke on Saturday for the first time since Dec. 3 against Fargo. They have sported a solid 67.2-percent expected goals-for percentage on even-strength shifts in their 20:31 together.

TRI CITY (29-17-3-3)

The Storm and the Stars met nine times over the first 30 games of the season but it's been over two months since they last played on Jan. 14. Tri-City has gone 15-5-3 since then, including winning eight straight games Feb. 18 - March 11 after previously opening the season 14-12-0-3. The Storm have earned points in 13 of their last 14 games and are coming off a three-game sweep of Fargo at home this past weekend.

A big reason for their success has been the acquisitions of forwards Jake Richard and Alex Bump. Richard, acquired from Muskegon Feb. 1, has been a point-a-game player with the Storm, recording 18 points (10+8) in 18 games. Tri-City acquired Bump from Omaha on Feb. 6 and he has five points (1+4) in seven games, though he missed just over a month from mid-February to mid-March.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Faceoffs: The Stars are 2-3-1 against Tri-City when winning greater than 50-percent of faceoffs, but are 4-0 when winning 50-percent or less of draws. Lincoln has won at least 55.6-percent of faceoffs in each of its last three games, including as high of a total as 65.3-percent on March 18 against Omaha. Klavs Veinbergs led the way in the dot last Saturday against Sioux City, winning a team-best 66.7-percent of draws. Lincoln is fourth in the USHL with 28.6-percent of even-strength faceoffs won resulting in a shot on net.

Power Plays: The Stars went 0-for-6 on the man advantage this past weekend after scoring a power-play goal in four consecutive games prior. Lincoln's power play still ranks sixth in the USHL at 23.2-percent but Tri-City sits just below them at 22-percent for eighth in the USHL. The Storm started the weekend hot with a 4-for-5 performance on Friday but went 1-for-6 the rest of the way.

Second Period: Tri-City scored five times in the second period on Friday in a 7-3 win over Fargo and proceeded to score in the middle frame in each of the next two games. The Stars scored in both of their second periods last weekend and are outscoring opponents 60-53 in the second stanza this season. Lincoln has dominated the second period against Tri-City this season, outscoring the Storm 14-7 and scoring three goals in the middle frame three times (Oct. 15, Nov. 23 and Dec. 16).


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