Lancers End Skid with 3-2 Win over Fargo
March 19, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers Hold Fargo Force at Bay
(Omaha Lancers)
Ralston, NE - Josh French scored a pair of power-play goals as Omaha Lancers ended a ten-game losing streak with a crucial 3-2 victory over the visiting Fargo Force. The crowd of 3,527 fans at Ralston Arena on Saturday night was the 13th sellout of the season.
After no scoring in the opening period, it took just 28 seconds for Omaha to get on the board in the second frame. Josh French took a shot that from the right wing circle that was blocked and slid behind the defender. Nathan Krusko cut behind him, picked up the puck, and lifted it over a diving Ryan Wischow for the 1-0 lead just 0:32 after the puck dropped on the period. The goal was Krusko's 14th of the year with assists from French and Austin Alger.
Shortly after, Fargo evened up the score. Niko Hildenbrand moved into the offensive zone and played the puck towards the net hoping for a deflection. At the same time, Will Graber cut to the front of the net and lifted his stick just under his waist to deflect the puck by the blocker of Zackarias Skog to even the score. The goal was Graber's ninth of the season with assists from Hildenbrand on the pass and Jere Astren at 8:29.
At 13:57 of the second period Josh French got on the board himself with a power-play goal. From below the goal line, Brannon McManus found French hanging along the left wing wall. After receiving the pass, French took the puck and moved to the top of the circle. The Minnesota State-Mankato commit then ripped a shot by the right shoulder of goaltender Ryan Wischow to regain Omaha's one-goal lead back. McManus and Nick Rivera picked up the assists on French's 13th of the year.
While on the power play early in the third period, Fargo came right back to tie the game. From the left side of the offensive zone, Niko Hildenbrand fired a one-timer that beat Zackarias Skog on his right side to even the score, 2-2. With the tally, Hildenbrand recorded his eighth goal of the season and second point of the night just 1:03 into the third frame.
The two sides traded chances back and forth until Omaha received another power-play opportunity. From the right wing circle and with Nick Rivera screening in front of the net, Josh French knocked a slap slot over the left shoulder of Ryan Wischow to give the Lancers another one-goal advantage 8:42 into the third period. Jacob Bryson had the first assist on the pass to French while Nick Rivera had the secondary assist.
Omaha held on for the 3-2 win while Zackarias Skog stopped 17 of 19 shots.
The Lancers are back home tomorrow as they host the Fargo Force. Saturday's puck drops at 5:05 p.m. Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 4:50 p.m. CT 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 Hold Fargo Force at Bay |
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