Lancers Prepare For Busy New Year's Weekend
Published on December 30, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
After a well-deserved week off during the United States Hockey League's annual Holiday break, the Omaha Lancers are back with a vengeance as they brace for a three-game weekend to help ring in the New Year. The action begins tomorrow when first place Omaha (21-5-1, 43 Pts.) heads to Sioux City for its annual New Year's Eve date with the Musketeers. Sioux City (12-11-1, 25 Pts.) currently sits tied for fifth in West Division but returns to action after claiming three of its last four contests prior to the Holiday break. The Lancers are already 3-0 against the Musketeers this season with each of the last two get-togethers decided by just a single goal. After an off day Friday, Omaha returns home to welcome in the Fargo Force to the Omaha Civic Auditorium Saturday evening. Fargo (16-9-1, 33 Pts.) ranks third in the West Division and currently rests just two points back of second place Sioux Falls after a recent run which has seen the Force claim nine of its last 12 games overall. The busy holiday weekend concludes Sunday afternoon with Omaha's second and final trip to Cedar Rapids this season to battle the RoughRiders. Cedar Rapids (13-12-2, 28 Pts.) has fallen on hard times dropping four of its final six games prior to the break.
Thursday, December 31st @ Sioux City Musketeers, 7:05 PM, Tyson Events Center
Saturday, January 2nd vs. Fargo Force, 7:05 PM, Omaha Civic Auditorium
**80's Mullet Night!**
Sunday, January 3rd @ Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 4:05 PM, Cedar Rapids Ice Arena
**Radio coverage for all three games can be found on 1290 AM KKAR or www.1290kkar.com.**
NEWS & NOTES FOR THE WEEKEND
* Lancers' forward Matt White continues to lead all USHL skaters in goals (21), points (47) and +/- (+23). He is also 2nd in shots (120), tied for 2nd in shorthanded goals (3) and 3rd in assists (26).
* Despite missing the final game before the Holiday break, Lancers' forward Erik Haula remains tied for 3rd among all USHL skaters with 39 points. His 27 assists are second best in the league.
* Lancers' defenseman Dennis Brown currently ranks fifth among all USHL blueliners in scoring with 18 points. The Cypress, California native is 2nd among all defenseman in +/- at +14.
* Omaha's power play remains tops in the league after registering 41 man advantage tallies through the first 27 games. The Lancers power play has only been shut out three times this season while registering two or more power play markers in 11 games to this point.
* 13 different Lancers have registered at least one power play goal this season including White and Seth Ambroz who lead the team with six man advantage tallies apiece.
* Newly acquired defenseman Austin Handley will see his first action in a Lancers uniform tomorrow evening when Omaha faces off against Sioux City. Handley was acquired from Des Moines yesterday in exchange for Tyler Lapic and a draft pick.
* The Lancers are 3-0 this season vs. Sioux City, 0-1 vs. Fargo and 1-0 vs. Cedar Rapids.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2009
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Outlasts Czech Republic, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
- Musketeer Upcoming Booster Club Events - Sioux City Musketeers
- Lancers Prepare For Busy New Year's Weekend - Omaha Lancers
- Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli Joins Ownership Group Of USHL Member Club In Dubuque - USHL
- Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms
- Frustrating First Game - Waterloo Black Hawks
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