USHL Lincoln Stars

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Published on March 4, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release


STARS vs. BLACK HAWKS

When: Saturday, March 4 at 6:05 p.m.

Where: Ice Box

Tickets: t.co/KKB006w0SG

Watch: Flo Hockey (flohockey.tv/live/46032)

Listen: Mixlr (mixlr.com/lincoln-stars)

LINCOLN (26-17-3)

The Stars snapped a six-game losing streak with last night's 5-3 win over the Sioux City Musketeers at the Ice Box. Patrick Raftery scored a shorthanded game-winning goal with 40.6 seconds remaining in regulation and Doug Grimes scored a pair of goal for his first multi-goal game of the season.

Now, the Stars play their third in a stretch of four straight home games by hosting the Waterloo Black Hawks for the first time this season. Lincoln is 0-3 against Waterloo, with all three games coming at Young Arena.

The Stars sit four points back of the Black Hawks for second place in the Western Conference. With 16 games remaining in the regular season the Stars have three more meetings with the Black Hawks, beginning tonight. Lincoln has played two more games than Waterloo to this point but both will wrap up the regular season on April 22.

WATERLOO (29-14-1)

The Black Hawks did not play last night and have fresh legs heading into tonight's game. They have a quick turnaround after last night's game as they face Sioux City tomorrow at 3 p.m.

The Black Hawks won a pair of one-goal games last weekend, first rallying back from a three-goal second-period deficit to defeat the Fargo Force, 4-3, in overtime on Feb. 24. Waterloo followed that up with another overtime win at Young Arena, this time at home against Omaha. Each of the Black Hawks last seven games have been decided by one goal and they are 13-5-1 in those games.

Waterloo has loaded up for a playoff run with several trades. Mikko Matikka, Nate Benoit and Garrett Brown have all been acquired via trades in an effort for the Black Hawks to win their second Clark Cup Championship. Matikka has recorded 10 points (6+4) in 13 games with Waterloo and Benoit has four points (1+3) in six games. Brown was acquired earlier this week and will make his Waterloo debut tonight after recording 16 points (3+13) in 36 games with Sioux City and winning the Clark Cup last season.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Shorthanded Goals: Lincoln moved into a tie for third in USHL with seven shorthanded goals by scoring a pair last night. Both came in the final minute of regulation and 28 seconds apart. Raftery's tally gave the Stars the lead and then Brennan Ali added a shorthanded empty netter during a six-on-four sequence.

Start of a new streak?: Since the start of 2023 the Stars have been riding different streaks. They opened the calendar year by winning four-in-a-row before then losing four straight. Lincoln followed that up with a season-best five-game winning streak before a season-worst six-game losing streak. Last night's win was their first since Feb. 11 and they are hoping that it is the first win of a positive streak.

Overtime: The Stars nearly went to overtime last night before scoring the game-winner and insurance in the final minute. The Black Hawks been frequent visitors to games beyond regulation with a USHL-best seven overtime wins and each of their last three wins have come in overtime. Their 11 games to reach overtime are tied for fourth-most in the USHL and they have won 10 of them. Lincoln has played beyond 60 minutes six times with two shootout wins and one overtime win.

Check out the Lincoln Stars Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2023


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