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USHL Omaha Lancers

Lancers Down First-Place Lincoln, 3-2

January 8, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


Omaha Lancers vs. the Lincoln Stars
Omaha Lancers vs. the Lincoln Stars
(Omaha Lancers)

Lincoln, NE - Austin Alger, Josh French, and Nick Rivera all recorded goals while Kris Oldham stopped 36 shots as the Omaha Lancers defeated the first-place Lincoln Stars on the road, 3-2, in front of 4,217 at The Ice Box on Friday night.

After no scoring in the opening period, two quick goals put the Lancers up 2-0 in the second frame. With less than five minutes to go, Austin Alger sent a wrist shot through traffic on net that sailed over the right shoulder of Lincoln Stars' goaltender Patrik Virtanen for a 1-0 lead 15:06 into the period. The goal was Alger's seventh of the season with the lone assist going to John Wojciechowski, who will play in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on Tuesday.

Less than one minute later, Josh French gave the Lancers a 2-0 lead. Just 0:50 after Alger's goal, Brian Williams hit French with a pass at the top of the slot from below the goal line. French received the pass and ripped a shot just under the cross bar for the two-goal advantage over Lincoln. French was credited with his eighth of the year assisted by Brian Williams with just 4:04 left in the second period. Williams' assist was his eighth and 15th point of the year.

Just 0:48 after the Lancers went up 2-0, Lincoln answered right back. In his first game back with the Stars since leaving Ohio State University after the first semester, Mike Gillespie gathered a loose puck in front of the crease and beat goaltender Kris Oldham to get Lincoln on the board. The goal came at 16:42 of the second and both teams combined for three goals in 1:36 of play.

With a one-goal lead at the start of the third period, Lancers' captain Nick Rivera quickly made it a two-goal lead. Rivera took the puck and skated just above the crease letting a back-hand shot fly that beat Patrik Virtanen for his 11th of the year and a 3-1 lead for Omaha. Rivera's goal came just 0:18 into the final period, unassisted.

Late in the game, a shot from the left point pulled the Stars back within a single goal. In a similar play to Alger's goal earlier in the game, Dominick Mersch let a shot go that sailed through bodies in front of the net and over the shoulder of Kris Oldham for his third of the year. Mersch's tally came with only 4:06 left in the game and had assists from Ludvig Hoff and Ryan Jones.

With just over two minutes to go in the game, Lincoln pulled Patrik Virtanen for the extra-attacker and Omaha held on for the 3-2 victory. Goaltender Kris Oldham stopped 36 of 38 shots for his ninth victory of the year.

The Lancers return home tomorrow night to face the Lincoln Stars in the second part of the home-and-home set. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. for Donate Life Night! Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Valpak Pregame Show on "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL, Mighty 1290 KOIL Mobile APP, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.

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Omaha Lancers vs. the Lincoln Stars
Omaha Lancers vs. the Lincoln Stars
   



United States Hockey League Stories from January 8, 2016


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