Lancers Stun Steel Late in 4-3 Overtime Win
February 6, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers Pressure the Chicago Steel Goaltender
(Omaha Lancers)
Ralston, NE - Austin Alger scored with 0.10 left in regulation to tie the game and Brannon McManus scored 6:27 into overtime as the Omaha Lancers stunned the visiting Chicago Steel, 4-3, in front of 3,301 fans at Ralston Arena on Saturday night.
Chicago took the lead on their first power play of the night in the first period. Omaha's Michael Bigelbach took a holding penalty at the 2:51 mark to put the Steel on the man advantage. After setting up defensively on the penalty kill, Lancers goaltender Zackarias Skog made a great save and the puck rolled to his left. Skog slid out of the crease as the Lancers scrambled to get the puck out of the zone. Mitch Lewandowski picked up the rebound and wrapped it around the left post to give the Steel a 1-0 lead 4:46 into the game. The goal was Lewandowski's second of the weekend and sixth of the year with assists from Heralds Egle and Marc Johnstone.
Early in the second period, Omaha tied the game at one goal apiece on the power play. Nick Rivera took the puck below the goal line to the right of the net. Rivera send a back-handed pass to the front of the net and Nathan Krusko fired the puck over the shoulder of Chicago netminder John Lethemon. The goal tied the game, 1-1, and was Krusko's 12th of the season with assists from Rivera and Josh French. With the assist, Rivera extended his point streak to seven games.
The tie game didn't stay that way for long. Chicago's Alex Frye moved down the left wing side of the offensive zone. Frye played the puck to the net and Jake Nielsen snuck behind Johan Steen sending the one-timer by goaltender Zackarias Skog to give the Steel a 2-1 lead 4:06 into the middle frame. It was only Nielsen's second of the year with assists from Frye and Samuel Bucek.
The Lancers didn't go away and tied the game back up on a deflection in front of the net. Jake Gingell controlled the puck just inside the blue line at the left point and let a waist-high wrist shot go that deflected off of Brian Williams and by John Lethemon to even up the score, 2-2. Williams' goal was his tenth of the year assisted by Gingell and John Wojciechowski at 12:39 of the second period.
In the final period, a giveaway in the defensive zone helped Chicago take the lead late in regulation. Mitch Lewandowski took the puck after the turnover and sent the puck off the outside of the post on the shot. Heralds Elge followed up and fired the puck in to give the Steel a 3-2 lead with 2:17 left in the game.
With Zackarias Skog on the bench and the net empty, Matt Kiersted missed a wide open net and play continued. Austin Alger was left all alone and took a long pass from JC MacLean at the far blue line for a breakaway chance. John Lethemon made the original save but Alger picked up his own rebound and beat the clock to tie the game, 3-3. The goal came with only a tenth of a second left in the third.
In overtime after switching to three-on-three, the Lancers created a two-on-one rush with Josh French and Brannon McManus into the offensive zone. French sent the puck to McManus who ripped the shot by Lethemon for the game-winning goal in overtime and the 4-3 victory.
Goaltender Zackarias Skog stopped 20 of 23 shots for his ninth win of the year.
The Lancers return home Friday night to face the Madison Capitols at 7:05 p.m.! It's Mascot Mania presented by Bank of the West! Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Valpak Pregame Show on "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL, Mighty 1290 KOIL Mobile APP, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.
Stay current with the latest team news or purchase the best available tickets by visiting www.lancers.com or downloading the Omaha Lancers mobile app for Android and iPhone. In addition stay connected with the Lancers on Facebook (/omahalancers), Twitter (@omahalancers), and the team's Youtube channel (/lancershockey).
Images from this story
 Omaha Lancers Pressure the Chicago Steel Goaltender |
United States Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2016
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- Gamblers Fall in a Shootout - Green Bay Gamblers
- Buccaneers lose to Stampede - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Lancers Stun Steel Late in 4-3 Overtime Win - Omaha Lancers
- Musketeers Take Early Lead, Fall 3-2 in Lincoln - Sioux City Musketeers
- Caps Cut Down Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Stars Top Musketeers, 3-2 - Lincoln Stars
- McCormick & Lohin Light up Scoresheet in Resounding Win - Madison Capitols
- Lambdin Game Winner Tops Jacks - Bloomington Thunder
- Cotton's Last Gasp Goal Powers Phantoms over Storm - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lumberjacks Split Weekend Series with Bloomington - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Phantoms Score Twice in Final Minute to Win, 4-2 - Tri-City Storm
- Caps Pay Visit to Waterloo Saturday Night - Madison Capitols
- Stars Seek Third Win against Musketeers - Lincoln Stars
- Musketeers Visit Lincoln Tonight - Sioux City Musketeers
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