Lancers Bust Up Buccaneers
February 2, 2008 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Chris Connolly's two power play goals in the opening moments of the second period sparked the Lancers to a 6-2 victory over the Des Moines Buccaneers at the Mid-America Center on Saturday, February 2nd.
Connolly's power play goals broke open a 1-1 first intermission tie and were followed by a three-goal barrage in the third period for the final result, the Lancers' fourth straight victory and a sweep of the home stand.
Joe Diamond opened the scoring with his sixth goal of the season, and third in his last four games, at the 6:02 mark of the first period. Travis Novak and Chris Hepp assisted on Diamond's goal.
Taylor Matson answered for Des Moines with a goal ten minutes later for the 1-1 tie at the intermissinon.
In the second period, Connolly opened the scoring with a power play goal at 28 seconds, assisted by Barry Almeida.
The pair would click again with another power play goal at 2:02; Connolly's 18th goal of the season and his fifth extra-man goal of year. That would be the eventual game-winner. The 3-1 Lancer lead would be the second intermission score.
In the third period, Matt Thurber started things off with his sixth shorthanded goal of the season, assisted by Novak, at 2:15 of the frame. Thurber's six "shorties" lead the league in that category.
Will O'Neill kept the scoring parade going with a power play goal at the 12:30 mark of the period, assisted by Connolly and Nico Sacchetti. O'Neill's goal would be his third of the year and his second power play goal.
Des Moines answered 15 seconds later when Alexander Denezhkin scored, but the Lancers came back with Matt Thurber's second goal of the night and his 11th of the season at 13:36. Novak and Keir Ross earned assists on the final goal of the contest.
Omaha went 3-for-6 on the power play, while Des Moines scored once in five power play chances. The Lancers out shot the Buccaneers 29-26 for the contest.
Shane Madolora earned the win in goal for the Lancers with a 24 save effort, while Keith Kinkaid suffered the loss, stopping 20 of 26 shots on net. Fredrik Bergman mopped up in goal for the Buccaneers after the final goal scored by O'Neill.
With the win, coupled with a loss by Sioux City to Sioux Falls, the Lancers opened up an eight point lead on the Musketeers at the top of the USHL West Division standings.
The Lancers face three challenges in the week ahead, traveling Tuesday night to Lincoln to meet the Stars at 7:05, then hosting Chicago at the Mid-America Center on Friday, beginning at 7:05. Saturday night, Waterloo hosts the Lancers in the final game of the three-game week of action.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2008
- Lancers Bust Up Buccaneers - Omaha Lancers
- Lincoln wins 5-3 over Waterloo - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Bucs Fall to Lancers 6-2 - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Ohio Power Play Roughs Up Riders In 6-3 Victory - Ohio Junior Blue Jackets
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