USHL Omaha Lancers

Lancers Comeback Falls Short

Published on September 24, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


Ralston, NE - A late three-goal deficit was too much to overcome as the Lancers dropped a hard-fought opening night game 7-4 to Fargo Friday night at Ralston Arena.

Three different Lancers notched multipoint nights in the season opener. Pierce Crawford (2g, 1a) and Austin Alger (2g) were the only Lancers able to beat Fargo's Matt Murray, while Emilio Pettersen recorded a pair of assists. Blake Lizotte continued to be a thorn in the Lancers side factoring on each of the Force's first five goals (1g, 4a).

Omaha got out to a quick start when Austin Alger went between his own legs before burying the puck into the top corner from point blank range to give Omaha a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later Pierce Crawford doubled the Lancer lead. Hustling down the left wing Crawford threw a low shot towards the far post the just tucked past Matt Murray in the Fargo net.

Special teams were the key for Fargo all night and showed up before the end of the first stanza. A pair of power-play goals from Jack Adams and Clayton Phillips in the last six minutes of the period tied the game up at 2-2 after twenty minutes of play.

The Force power-play got the ball rolling early in the second. Moments after a penalty to Alex Mehnert expired Lizotte gave Fargo the lead for the first time. As soon as the Force power-play got another opportunity they made the Lancers pay pushing the lead to two goals. Brian Hurley beat Peter Thome to give Fargo a 4-2 lead before the end of the second.

Trailing by two with less than five minutes left in the third Omaha looked to build some momentum back when Easton Brodzinski headed off for boarding at 15:31. Instead of the Lancers, however it was the Force who seized the opportunity.

Blake Lizotte pick pocketed a defender in front of the Lancer cage before connecting with Michael Graham on the back door. Despite a three-goal deficit the Lancers were not finished.

Head coach Brian Kaufman elected to pull the goalie with four minutes remaining in regulation. With the extra attacker on the ice Emilio Pettersen moved the puck from below the circle, finding a wide open Austin Alger at the top of the right circle. Alger rocketed a one-timer from point-blank that knocked the water bottle off the top of the net, bringing Ralston Arena back to life, and cutting the lead to 5-3.

Shortly after with the goalie pulled once again Pierce Crawford positioned himself directly in front of the Fargo net. Derek Hamelin walked the blue-line sending a low shot on net. Crawford got a piece of the puck tipping in his second of the night, cutting the lead to 5-4.

With the goalie on the bench again Fargo picked up two empty net tallies in the final minute to squash the comeback, and take a 7-4 victory.

The Lancers are back in action tomorrow night as they travel to Sioux City to take on the Musketeers.

Season tickets are on sale now! Full, half, and military plans available with flexible, interest-free payment plans and exclusive benefits. For more information contact the Lancers Front Office at 402-344-7825, Ext. 1 or visit www.lancers.com.

Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to "Like" the official "Omaha Lancers" page on Facebook.

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2016


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