Gozzo Nets Four Goals as Lancers Drop Stars 7-2
Published on December 2, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Lincoln, NE - Greg Gozzo scored four goals while Casey Bailey and Matt Gaudreau each added three points apiece as the Omaha Lancers dropped the Lincoln Stars 7-2 Friday evening at the Lincoln IceBox. The victory came in the debut of newly appointed interim head coach Mike Aikens. With the win, the Lancers improved to 10-8-2 and moved into a tie for second place in the Western Conference with 22 standings points. The seven goals scored are the most goals scored in a single game by the Lancers this season.
Omaha opened the scoring just past the midway point of the first period when a two-on-one between Gaudreau and Bailey resulted in Bailey's ninth goal of the season. The even strength marker came 10:24 into the opening period of play and marked the 10th time in 20 games this season that the Lancers have scored the game's first goal. Omaha doubled its advantage a little over three minutes later when Gozzo won a battle for a loose puck atop the Lincoln goal crease before sending in his fourth goal of the year. Michael Ferrantino and Ken Babinski assisted on the five-on-five goal notched 13:43 into the first period. The Lancers then claimed a 3-0 advantage just under three minutes later when Gozzo landed his second goal of the period and fifth of the season. While enjoying the team's first power play of the night, Anthony Hambug found Gozzo on the back door who made no mistake in depositing the Lancers 11th man-advantage marker of the season. Kevin Schulze earned the secondary assist on the first road power play goal tallied by the Lancers this season, which also marked the end of the evening for Stars starting goaltender Jackson Teichroeb who exited after just seven saves on 10 Omaha shots.
Lincoln made its first dent on the score sheet with the only goal of the second period when Kevin Roy won a battle atop the Omaha goal crease before driving in his league-leading 15th goal of the season. Brandon Carlson earned the only assist on the even strength tally netted 8:06 into the second period.
The Lancers regained their three-goal lead less than six minutes into the third period when a brilliant centering feed by Jimmy Murray found Gaudreau on the right wing who lifted home his sixth goal of the year. Bailey earned the secondary assist on the five-on-five marker. The Stars climbed back to within two 12:12 into the final period of regulation when a wrist shot by Roy in the slot deflected off the body of Brent Tate at the side of the Lancers goal and into the back of the Omaha cage. The Lancers doused Lincoln's comeback hopes though with three goals in the game's final three minutes. First, Gozzo capped his hat trick 17:16 into the final period with the first of Omaha's two empty net goals. The hat trick was Omaha's fourth through the first 20 games of the season. Bailey then notched his team-leading 10th goal of the season 18:48 into the third period when Gaudreau found him for another empty net marker. Finally, Omaha capped its offensive explosion as time expired when Gozzo notched his fourth goal of the game. Babinski earned the only assist on the game's final marker.
Alex Lyon earned the victory in goal for Omaha after 29 saves on 31 Stars shots. With the win, Lyon improved to 7-6-2 on the year. Meanwhile, Teichroeb suffered the loss in cage for Lincoln while Charles Williams earned a no-decision in goal for the Stars after 14 saves on 16 shots in relief.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow evening when they head to the Young Arena in Waterloo for a 7:05 PM showdown with the Black Hawks.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2011
- Hawks Fan Wins Cash Prize - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Gozzo Nets Four Goals as Lancers Drop Stars 7-2 - Omaha Lancers
- USA Slinks Away with Win - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Fighting Saints Edge Cedar Rapids 3-2 in Shootout - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede Fall in Indiana - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Padulo, Keeney Lead Jacks' Breakout - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Finley Becomes 14th Former Stampede Player to Skate in NHL - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Phantoms Can't Solve Keeney, Fall 5-0 to 'Jacks - Youngstown Phantoms
- Fighting Saints Travel to Cedar Rapids Tonight - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Former Stampede Forward Prough Named ECHL Player of the Month - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Fighting Saints to Go "Old School" Tomorrow Night - Dubuque Fighting Saints
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
