Knutson Leads One-Man Stampede as Sioux Falls Topples Ice 6-5
September 27, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
The Indiana Ice have only one player on the 2013-2014 roster with more than eight career goals. The Sioux Falls Stampede's Zeb Knutson now seven goals in his first two games of season after leading his squad with four goals in a 6-5 victory over the Ice Friday at Pan Am Pavilion.
Knutson scored the game's first goal and the game-winner with 4:36 to play, spoiling Indy's home opener.
Joseph Sullivan netted a pair of goals for the hosts and Indiana's Alex Talcott added a goal and two assists to lead the Ice attack. Indy twice had two-goal leads but could not hold the potent Sioux Falls offense in check.
The Western Conference power returned four of the USHL's five leading scorers---including Knutson. Despite the disparity in game experience, Indiana had their chances.
After Knutson gave the visitors the 6-5 advantage, the Ice had a pair of power play opportunities in the final 4:18 of regulation. Like their other four chances with an extra skater, Indy failed to score the game-tying goal.
Talcott got Indiana on the board in the first period by burying a backhander past Stampede goaltender Arthur Brey. The forward received assists from Matt Roy and Sullivan.
Sullivan went from assist-man to goal scorer to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage. Josh Jacobs and Talcott earned points with helpers at 6:25 of the opening frame.
Indy had their first two-goal lead when Dwyer Tschantz scored his first USHL goal at 8:36 of the second period with Michael Preston and Jason Salvaggio collaborated on Tschantz' lamplighter.
Sioux Falls scored four of the contest's next five goals to grab a 5-4 lead heading to the third period. Sullivan's second goal of the evening came in the middle of the visitor's surge. Talcott and Tyler Pham assisted on Sullivan's goal.
Patrick Newell evened the count at 5-5 when he buried a one-timer 7:47 before the final horn. Denis Smirnov scored his first point in an Indiana sweater before Knutson potted the deciding score.
The Ice hit the road for a three-game stretch in Michigan starting Saturday against the Muskegon. Indy finally returns home to the friendly confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, October 12 against the Youngstown Phantoms.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 27, 2013
- Comeback Comes up Short for Phantoms in Home Opener - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lancers Flatten Force in Home Opener, 5-0 - Omaha Lancers
- Saints Rally Sinks Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Saints Open Season with 3-2 Comeback Win in Waterloo Friday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Knutson's 4 Goals Helps Lift Stampede over Indiana - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Lumberjacks Prevail Late in Emotional Road Victory - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Knutson Leads One-Man Stampede as Sioux Falls Topples Ice 6-5 - Indiana Ice
- Opening Night & Championship Celebration Tomorrow - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede Weekly Update: Home Opener Set for Next Friday - Sioux Falls Stampede
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