Lancers' Rally Falls Short in 6-3 Loss
Published on September 10, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
OMAHA, NE. - The Omaha Lancers completed its second preseason game in as many nights against their rivals up I-29 and the Fargo Force. The Force have come off their best season in its franchise history finishing with a league best 88 standings points to go along 40 wins on the regular season; leading them to an Anderson Cup Title. The Force would fall short in the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs however, after being taken out by the Youngstown Phantoms in the Clark Cup Finals.
The first period had Fargo dominate early on with numerous scoring chances coming on net.
The scoring would start with forward Michael LaStarza who would wrap around the cage to put one past Omaha net-minder Felix Noack to push Fargo in front at 1-0.
The scoring would continue for the Force as right off the draw forward Jake Fisher rips one from the faceoff circle to stretch Fargo's lead at 2-0.
The Lancers would wake up from there as defenseman Chase Cheslock would wrist one from the point before forward Justin Stupka would cash in on the rebound to cut the deficit in half at 2-1 going into the second period of play.
The second period had more scoring yet again, with Fargo once again leading the way early on.
Fargo forward Mac Swanson would get things going early on as just 28 seconds into the middle frame, Swanson would receive a pass backdoor to put Fargo's lead at 3-1.
Not long thereafter, forward Jake Fisher would get in on the action once again; wristing one from the high slot to extend Fargo's lead at 4-1.
Just over two minutes later, Fargo defenseman Nick Wolfenberg would rip one from the top of the face-off circle which would put Fargo in the driver's seat midway through the second with a commanding 5-1 advantage.
The Lancers would finally snap out of their funk as forward Sam Scheetz would receive a neutral zone feed from veteran forward Braydon Behm as Scheetz would score on the breakaway to bring Omaha within three.
The Lancers would not be done as veteran forward Jamison Sluys would find himself on a 2-on-1 with linemate Ben Miller; as Miller would send one to Sluys on a backdoor feed to put the Lancers back within two heading into the third period of play.
The third period would end up being a defensive battle with only one goal showing for it.
The lone goal in third would come off the stick of forward Michael LaStarza once again, as he would bury a loose puck out in front of the net to ice the game and give Fargo the 6-3 victory.
The Lancers are back in action Wednesday night at Liberty First Credit Union Arena to round out their home stand on the preseason against the Tri-City Storm. Puck drop is at 7:05 PM CST. That game can be caught on Mixlr and FloSports.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 10, 2023
- Stars Split First Two Preseason Games - Lincoln Stars
- Force Win Two of Three at Preseason Showcase in Omaha - Fargo Force
- Last-Minute Goal Lifts Storm to Victory over Force - Tri-City Storm
- Storm to Battle Force in Preseason Contest - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers' Rally Falls Short in 6-3 Loss - Omaha Lancers
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