Lancers Comeback Falls Short in 5-3 Loss at Sioux Falls
Published on October 5, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Sioux Falls, SD - Kenny Gillespie tallied a goal and an assist and the Omaha Lancers pulled to within a single goal in the game's final minute but the comeback effort came up just short as the Lancers fell 5-3 to the Sioux Falls Stampede Friday evening in front of 4,687 fans at the Sioux Falls Arena. Omaha is still in search of its first victory of the 2012-2013 season.
Sioux Falls grabbed the game's opening goal less than six minutes into the contest when a Lancers giveaway in the defensive end produced a two-on-one for the Stampede's Tony Calderone and Kyle Schempp producing Calderone's first goal of the season. Schempp garnered the only assist on the even strength goal scored 5:44 into the opening period. Sioux Falls doubled its lead a little more than three minutes later when, while on the power play, Cody Milan cleaned up a rebound at the side of the Omaha goal for his first career USHL tally. Conner Valesano and Sean Murphy assisted on the man-advantage marker notched 8:51 into the first period. Omaha trimmed the Stampede's lead in half just over three minutes later when good work below the goal line by Kenny Gillespie and Matt Hansen produced an opportunity at the top of the goal crease, which was promptly stashed home by Connor Chatham. Chatham's first goal of the season and his fourth career USHL tally came 11:59 into the opening period of play.
The Lancers evened the game just over five minutes into the second period when, while on the power play, Gillespie stepped over the Stampede blue line and sent a high slot wrist shot over the glove of Sioux Falls netminder Charlie Lindgren and into the back of the cage. Jake Randolph garnered the only assist on Omaha's first man-advantage marker of the season. The Stampede responded immediately though and reclaimed the lead just over a minute later when a series of failed clears out of the defensive zone produced a left wing opportunity for Sioux Falls native Zeb Knutson who made no mistake in burying his first career USHL tally. Sioux Falls regained its two-goal lead just over four minutes later when Schempp converted his third goal of the season and third marker in as many games to start the year. The even strength strike came 10:29 into the middle stanza.
Omaha climbed back to within a single goal in the final minute of regulation when, with goaltender Alex Lyon back to the bench in favor of the extra attacker, precision passing by Victor Newell and Hansen produced an opportunity for Matt Gaudreau at the top of the goal crease, which was quickly chipped in for Gaudreau's first goal of the season. The comeback effort fell just short though as Sioux Falls was able to chip in an empty net goal from Ed McGovern in the final seconds to seal the victory.
Lindgren earned his first victory of the season in goal after 35 saves on 38 Lancers shots. With the win, the veteran netminder improved to 1-1 on the year. Meanwhile, Lyon suffered the loss despite 26 saves on 30 Stampede shots.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow evening when they travel to Sioux City for a 7:05 PM showdown with the Musketeers.
United States Hockey League Stories from October 5, 2012
- Stampede Top Lancers in Front of Sellout Crowd - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Shootout Propels Fighting Saints over Gamblers - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stenglein and Cangelosi Get Tricky, Power Phantoms Past Black Hawks 9-6 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Steel Lose First Game Of 2012-13 Season - Chicago Steel
- Lancers Comeback Falls Short in 5-3 Loss at Sioux Falls - Omaha Lancers
- Ice Hold off Team USA - Indiana Ice
- Black Hawks Plan Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend - Waterloo Black Hawks
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