Lancers Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to USNTDP
Published on September 22, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Sioux City, IA - Riley Barber scored two goals, including the game-winner with just nine seconds left in regulation, as the USNTDP Under-18 team outlasted the Omaha Lancers 4-3 Thursday morning at the 2011 USHL Fall Classic. Omaha is now 1-3 this postseason and wraps up its run through the Fall Classic Saturday evening with a 7 PM showdown against the Sioux City Musketeers.
Omaha wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Adam Chlapik found Jonathan Liau in the slot just 1:14 into the contest for Liau's first goal of the preseason. The five-on-five even strength tally marked the first time in four games this preseason that the Lancers have netted the game's first goal. Omaha goaltender John Keeney was razor sharp in keeping USA off the board turning aside all 12 shots he faced in period one.
Team USA evened the contest just 2:12 into the second period when, while on the power play, Stefan Matteau won a battle for a loose puck at the top of the goal crease in driving home his first goal of the preseason. Matt Grzelcyk earned the only assist on the man advantage marker. The Lancers regained the lead though just three minutes later when Chlapik fed a perfect cross-crease pass to Myles McCauley on the left wing who made no mistake in blasting in his first goal of the preseason. The five-on-five tally came 5:13 into the middle period. Team USA evened the game once again though with just under minutes remaining in the period when Matthew Lane launched a chip shot from the top of the goal crease over the catching mitt of Keeney and into the back of the Omaha net. Thomas DiPauli garnered the only assist on the equalizing tally notched 16:10 into the second period.
USA grabbed its first lead of the contest with just under six minutes remaining in regulation when a beautiful move by Matteau on the wing opened up room for a centering feed which found Riley Barber for Barber's first goal of the preseason. Seth Jones earned the secondary assist on the even strength goal scored 14:22 into period three. The Lancers were quick to respond though and evened the game at three apiece a little over three minutes later when Kenny Gillespie fed a centering pass from behind the USA goal, which was fired home by Liau from the slot. Team USA, however, would break the tie late when, with just 9 seconds left in regulation, Matteau found Barber at the front of the net again for the game-winning tally.
Jared Rutledge earned the victory in goal for USA after relieving starter Collin Olson just past the midway point of regulation. Rutledge registered 14 saves on 15 Omaha shots for the win while Olson recorded 9 saves on 11 shots in the no decision. Keeney suffered the loss in goal for the Lancers despite another 26-save performance at the Fall Classic.
The Lancers are back in action Saturday evening when they conclude their run through the 2011 Fall Classic with a 7 PM showdown against the host Sioux City Musketeers.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 22, 2011
- Storm Fall to Defending Champs, 3-1 - Tri-City Storm
- Fighting Saints Defeat Storm 3-1 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stenglein's Late Goal Gives Phantoms the Comeback Win against Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms
- USHL and FASTHockey to Offer Free Broadcast for Fall Classic Game - USHL
- Lancers Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to USNTDP - Omaha Lancers
- Fighting Saints Look to Take Second Game at Fall Classic Tonight - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Hawks Take Fall Classic Opener - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Voth, Lumberjacks drop Steel 4-1 in USHL Fall Classic - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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