Lancers Rally, Defeat Lincoln 3-2 in Overtime
January 9, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers Battle the Lincoln Stars
(Omaha Lancers)
Ralston, NE - Trailing 2-0 in the second period to the Lincoln Stars, the Omaha Lancers rallied to tie the game late in regulation and win in overtime courtesy of Mitch Perrault in front of a sold out Ralston Arena of 3,544 fans on Saturday night.
Lincoln took advantage of their first power play of the night to take the lead. Josh French tried to clear the puck out of the defensive zone at the top of the right wing circle but was blocked by Ryan Jones standing right on the blue line. Jones took the puck to his left and fired a slap shot on net that beat Kris Oldham on the blocker side to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. The goal was Jones' third of the year, unassisted, at 12:09 of the opening period.
In the second period Omaha pinched up through the neutral zone and after a turnover Lincoln transitioned into a breakaway chance. Polino took the lead pass at the blue line and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Kris Oldham for the 2-0 lead at 14:08 of the period. The goal was Polino's 12th of the season with the assists going to Carson Gicewicz and Dylan Woolf.
The Lancers answered back late in the second period to pull within one goal of tying the game. Nick Rivera took the puck and Josh French joined him on a two-on-one rush into the offensive zone. Rivera sent the puck to French, who returned it back for a one-timer chance. Peyton Jones flashed the left leg pad and made an incredible save on Rivera. However, the rebound went right to Brian Williams and he fired the shot just under the cross bar for his eighth of the year with just 1:18 left in the period. French and Rivera picked up the assists.
The comeback continued late in the third period. Josh French found a loose puck at the top of the offensive zone circle, spun around, and let a wrist shot fly that sailed over the shoulder of Lincoln's goaltender Peyton Jones to tie the game 2-2. The goal came with only 4:37 left in the game and was French's ninth of the season with helpers from Jake Massie and Nick Rivera. The assist was Massie's third of the season while Rivera's was his eighth and 19th overall point.
When it looked like the game might be going to a shootout late in the extra time, Mitch Perrault came through. Perrault moved out through the neutral zone and down the left side. At the top of the left wing circle Perrault dragged the puck through the defender and lifted the puck over the left shoulder of Peyton Jones for the game-winning goal at 6:35 of overtime. It was Perrault's 10th goal of the season, unassisted.
Kris Oldham stopped 24 shots for his tenth win of the season.
Images from this story
 Omaha Lancers Battle the Lincoln Stars |
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- Lancers Take Overtime Win, 3-2 - Lincoln Stars
- Lambdin, Baker Take Home Hat Tricks - Bloomington Thunder
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- Caps Honor Suter & Host Phantoms on be the Miracle Night - Madison Capitols
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