Sports stats



USHL Omaha Lancers

Lancers, Stampede Prepare for Western Conference Semifinals

April 19, 2011 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


OMAHA, NE - The Western Conference Semifinals between the Omaha Lancers and Sioux Falls Stampede is as evenly matched a series as the 2011 Clark Cup Playoffs has to offer. Omaha (34-19-7, 75 Pts.) finished just one standings point ahead of Sioux Falls (34-20-6, 74 Pts.) during the 2010-2011 regular season with both clubs posting banner years in the tightly contested Western Conference. It was only though a 2-0 Lancers victory at the Sioux Falls Arena on the final day of the regular season that finally separated the two teams and propelled Omaha to a second-place finish in the Conference and a first round postseason bye. Now, after Sioux Falls dismissed the Sioux City Musketeers in the best-of-three opening round series, the two sides are set to meet again with the stakes as high as they've been at any point this season.

The best-of-five series begins tomorrow night with Game 1 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. But before the puck drops at 7:05 PM tomorrow evening, here's a look at both sides looking to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

- Omaha is making its 22nd consecutive appearance in the Clark Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, Sioux Falls is appearing in the USHL postseason for the sixth straight year.

- The Lancers and Stampede are meeting in the postseason for just the second time in their franchise's histories and the first time in the last 10 years. The only prior playoff meeting between Omaha and Sioux Falls came back in 2001 when the Lancers defeated the Stampede three games to one in the Conference Finals.

- The Stampede's opening round series victory over Sioux City was the club's first postseason series win in the last four years. (2007, 4-0 sweep over Lincoln)

- Omaha and Sioux Falls met a total of eight times during the 2010-2011 regular season with the two clubs splitting the eight get-togethers. Both sides went 3-1 against the opposition at home with each posting 1-3 records on the road.

- Four of the eight total get-togethers during the regular season series between the Lancers and Stampede were decided by a single goal with each side claiming two one-goal victories over the opposition. Seven of the eight contests were decided by two goals or fewer.

- Both Omaha and Sioux Falls led the Western Conference with 20 home victories apiece. Meanwhile, both clubs also posted 14 victories away from home during the regular year.

- In eight total get-togethers during the regular season, the Lancers and Stampede combined for just 35 total goals with Sioux Falls outscoring Omaha by the slimmest of margins, 18-17. Five-on-five even strength scoring in the series was equal at 11 goals apiece with both sides also connecting on four power play tallies each.

- While neither Omaha nor Sioux Falls featured a player among the USHL's top-20 in overall scoring during the regular season, both clubs showcase diverse and dynamic offensive attacks. The Stampede had 19 double-digit point producers during the regular year while Omaha featured 17 double-digit point getters.

- Omaha's Stefan Demopoulos led all scorers in the season series with 7 points (goal, 6 assists) while Ben Marshall was second with 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists). Meanwhile, Christian Isackson and Ryan Jacobson (the Stampede's leading scorers overall during the regular season) paced all Sioux Falls skaters in the head-to-head series with 5 points each.

- Omaha's Todd Mathews appeared in goal in seven of the eight meetings with Sioux Falls during the regular season posting a 4-3 record while compiling a 1.85 goals-against average (GAA) coupled with a .944 save percentage. Meanwhile, Juho Olkinuora started the final five straight meetings against the Lancers earning a 2-3 record while notching a 2.04 GAA to go along with a .922 save %.

- The winner of the best-of-five series between #2 Omaha and #3 Sioux Falls will face the winner of the other best-of-five Western Conference Semifinals match-up between #1 Dubuque and #4 Fargo.

Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Qwest Center Box Office Monday - Friday, 10 AM - 6 PM, at the Omaha Civic Auditorium Box Office on game days only beginning at 10 AM or through www.ticketmaster.com .

Check out the Omaha Lancers Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from April 19, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Omaha Lancers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central