USHL Tri-City Storm

Goransson Sets Defenseman Assists Record in 5-4 Loss to Omaha

Published on April 8, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


Ralston, Neb. - Jake Wahlin starred for the Storm with a goal and an assist, but the Omaha Lancers scored with five minutes left to break a tie and skirt by the Storm, 5-4, Friday at Ralston Arena.

Wahlin collected both points in a manic first period; the Lancers held a 3-2 lead after one. After Omaha took a 2-1 lead, Tri-City fought back to tie three times.

Also significant to the cause, Mattias Goransson received the second assist on Wahlin's first-period goal, giving the 21-year-old defenseman 33 assists this season, the Storm's single-season record. Goransson breaks Bobby Nardella's record of 32 helpers, set last season.

Both power plays also emerged; Tri-City had three power plays goals and the Lancers scored a pair.

Brandon Duhaime, Alex Limoges and Paul Washe also tallied for the Storm.

Tri-City heads into the final game of the regular season with its mind on the postseason; the Storm has locked up the Western Conference's first seed in the Clark Cup Playoffs.

The Storm and Lancers combined for three goals in the third period, all on the man up. After Omaha's Austin Alger scored 6:30 in, Tri-City's Brandon Duhaime responded with his 14th of the season. Duhaime walked to the left circle and wristed a powerful shot by Lancers goalie Zach Skog at 8:00 of the third.

The Lancers finished 2-for-6 on the power play, scoring with 5:17 left on a deflection by Matt Meier that bested Storm netminder Jake Kielly.

The 19-year-old from Eden Prairie, Minnesota finished with 15 saves in defeat. Omaha's Skog won with 28 saves.

Wahlin and Omaha's Brannon McManus dueled in a five-goal first period. First, Wahlin centered a pass to Paul Washe at 1:48 of the first and Washe tapped the puck by Skog to give the Storm a 1-0 lead. Walker Duehr received the secondary helper and finished with two assists.

The Lancers' McManus factored in on the next two goals. At 5:56, he filtered the puck to goal scorer Nick Rivera, who tied the game at one. Forty-one seconds later, McManus earned his second point, backhanding a puck by Jake Kielly.

Wahlin struck back for the Storm with 2:39 left in the first, his 15th of the season. On the power play, Wahlin dashed to the left post and shot it into the left side of the cage.

McManus wasn't done; he flipped a perfect feed to the left circle for Cody Fleckenstein. The defenseman scored his first USHL goal with four seconds left, ending a wild first frame with a one-goal Omaha lead.

The second took on a frenetic feel, but this time in physicality; the Lancers took six minor penalties and Tri-City took two. The Storm scored the only goal to even it at three.

Alex Limoges scored on the man up at 6:25 of the second, with assists to Dan Labosky and Tory Dello, placing the Storm in a 3-3 tie.

Tri-City completes the 2016 regular season at home against the Lancers on Saturday, April 9, at 7:05 p.m. The Storm's final home game is Fan Appreciation Night, presented by Midway, with special concession deals throughout the night. The first 1,000 fans receive a free team photo. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. with the Viaero Wireless Pregame Show on The Breeze 94.5 FM - kliqfm.com.

http://bit.ly/Storm_Tickets

Playoff tickets are on sale now for the 2016 Clark Cup Playoffs. The Storm is the one-seed in the Western Conference and has been confirmed for the following home dates.

-GAME 1: Storm vs TBD - Thursday, 4/14 at 7:05 PM

-GAME 2: Storm vs TBD - Friday, 4/15 at 7:05 PM

-GAME 5: Storm vs TBD (if necessary) - Tuesday, 4/26 at 7:05 PM

For information contact the Storm Box Office at 308-338-8144.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2016


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