
Gameday Preview
December 2, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
STARS vs. FORCE
When: Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:05 p.m.
Where: The Ice Box
Tickets: etix.com/ticket/c/F536BA266F83CC828DD9BC30D91CC94A/dec2nd-
Watch: Flo Hockey (flohockey.tv/live/45815)
Mixlr (mixlr.com/lincoln-stars)
LINCOLN (12-6)
The Stars took two-of-three games last week and have moved into second place in the Western Conference thanks to a 5-3 win two Wednesdays ago against Tri-City and a 3-2 win on Black Friday against Des Moines. Lincoln scored two goals in the third period in both wins but were held off the scoresheet in the final period of Saturday's loss. The Stars entered last week 0-3 when trailing after the first period and 0-4 when trailing after the second period but snapped those streaks with wins against Tri-City and Des Moines, respectively.
Lincoln was banged up last weekend with Daniel Sambuco, Doug Grimes and Mason Marcellus all missing at least one game. Between the three of them they have combined for 39 points. Ten Stars have skated in all 18 games to begin the season.
FARGO (12-3-0-3)
The Force enter the weekend with the best record and most points (27) in the USHL. Fargo has picked up points in eight consecutive games and has not lost in regulation since falling to Tri-City, 5-4, on Nov. 3. The Force took two-of-three games last week with a 4-3 overtime win against Sioux Falls the night before Thanksgiving and a 6-3 win over Omaha on Black Friday. The Lancers bounced back to pick up a 4-3 shootout victory last Saturday. Fargo has not lost any games in back-to-back capacity this season.
Cole Knuble is second in the USHL in points (27) and his teammate Mac Swanson isn't far behind with 23 points. Swanson is tied with Marcellus and Youngstown forward Andrew Strathmann for first in the USHL with 16 assists. Knuble is second in the USHL with 13 goals and scored three goals in two games against Omaha last weekend.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Streaking At Home: The Stars are on a six-game winning streak at the Ice Box, which is their longest since rattling off eight consecutive in 2015-16. Lincoln's record since the USHL became a Tier-I league in 2002 was 12 consecutive home victories in the 2004-05 season. Keaton Peters has loved playing in Lincoln, scoring seven times and has found the back of the net in all but two games at the Ice Box, including each of the last four home games.
Look Out For Ludtke: Stars forward Tanner Ludtke has scored in each of the last four games with five goals in that span and has lit the lamp six times over the last six games. He leads the Stars with 11 goals and with three multi-goal games. The Nebraska-Omaha commit has recorded a point in 14-of-18 games and has six multi-point games.
Double Trouble In Net: Fargo's early success has come in part due to its dynamic duo in between the pipes. Matej Marinov (2.16) and Anton Castro (2.34) are ranked second and third, respectively, in the USHL in goals-against average. Marinov's .922 save percentage is third in the league and Castro isn't far behind at .909 for seventh. Marinov is in his second season with Fargo after recording a 3.47 GAA and .885 save percentage in 19 games last season. Castro was between the pipes 11 times with the Force last season and recorded a 3.24 GAA and .887 SV%. Neither faced the Stars last season.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2022
- Lancers Get Their Revenge Over The Musketeers - Omaha Lancers
- Harvey's Shorthanded Overtime Winner Lifts Steel - Chicago Steel
- Jacks Rally Twice to Force Overtime, But Fall to Chicago 4-3 in Opener of Two-Game Series - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Three-Goal Second Leads Fargo Past Lincoln - Lincoln Stars
- Stampede Stomps Down Blackhawks' At-Home Win Streak, 6-2, in First Game of Double Header - Sioux Falls Stampede
- The Aftermath: Storm Drops Road Contest to Buccaneers - Tri-City Storm
- One Comeback Not Enough Friday - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Caps Fight Back, Ultimately Fall to USNTDP - Madison Capitols
- Musketeers Swing First Trade of Season - Sioux City Musketeers
- Bevilacqua Makes NCAA Commitment - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Lancers Acquire William Smith from the Muskegon Lumberjacks - Omaha Lancers
- Mac Swanson Added to 2022 U.S. Junior Select Team - Fargo Force
- Capitols Face off against U-17's - Madison Capitols
- Broberg to Waterloo, Lancers Acquire Future Considerations - Omaha Lancers
- Hawks Add Defenseman Broberg - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Gameday Preview - Lincoln Stars
- The Forecast: Storm Set for Showdown at Buccaneer Arena - Tri-City Storm
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