Lancers Weekly: Road Swing Continues as Lancers Head to Bloomington
October 24, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Ralston, NE - The Lancers continue their month-long road swing heading to Bloomington, Illinois to take on the Thunder this weekend for the only meetings between the teams this season. Omaha saw their five-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night in Chicago
Need To Know:
* Omaha has jumped from 8th to 4th place in the USHL Western Conference Standings in the last two weeks
* Brannon McManus extended his league-high point streak ( to seven games with an assist on Friday and a goal on Saturday
* Omaha has scored first in eight out of ten games this season. No other team has scored first more often than the Lancers.
Last Week
Friday, October 21 at Team USA, W 4-1
Saturday, October 22 at Chicago, L 4-2
This Week
Friday, October 28 at Bloomington
Saturday, October 29 at Bloomington
The Week in Review
Omaha pushed it's win streak to five games on Friday before the league-leading Chicago Steel snapped the streak on Saturday.
On Friday night the Lancers traveled to Plymouth, Michigan to take on Team USA. Filip Suchy made the most of his USHL debut scoring twice as the Lancers pushed past Team USA 4-1.
After being shut out on Saturday in Fargo, the Lancer power play struck just over seven minutes into regulation. Brannon McManus connected with Emilio Pettersen for a one-timer on the back door to give Omaha a 1-0 lead. Team USA would answer to tie the game at 1-1 before the end of the first.
After that Peter Thome shut the door on all Team USA chances. In the second Suchy netted back-to-back goals pushing the lead to 3-1 after 40 minutes. The Czech newcomer scored just under six minutes apart to help the Lancers cement their lead. In the third Pierce Crawford added an empty netter to round out the scoring.
Saturday night it appeared the Lancers would keep their streak alive jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period.
Jacob Paganelli redirected a pass from Emilio Pettersen past Ales Stezka early in the first to break Stezka's 205:50 shutout streak and put Omaha up 1-0. Later in the period Brannon McManus extended his league high seven-game point streak beating Stezka on a shortened break away high to the glove side. Omaha would lead 2-0 after the first twenty minutes.
The Steel showed what has made them the team to beat in the USHL this season in the second finding ways to score. Chicago netted three consecutive before the middle frame was out to take a 3-2 lead into the locker room. In the third neither team was able to score until the closing minute when Chicago tacked on an empty netter to finish out the scoring at 4-2.
Moving on Up:
After starting the season 0-4-0-0 and sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference the Lancers have jumped to fourth (10pts) after winning five of their last six. Only four points currently separates first place Des Moines from sixth place Tri-City.
Week Ahead
The Lancers head to Bloomington, Illinois to face the Thunder for a pair in the third of four straight weekends on the road. Bloomington (2-4-2-0) comes into the weekend in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
Bloomington split last weekend being shut out 5-0 by Muskegon on Friday on before blanking Cedar Rapids 7-0 on Saturday.
Sean Harrison and Ethan Somoza lead the Thunder with five points (2g, 3a). Gabriel Mollot-Hill, and Logan Halladay have split time in net so far this season. Each goaltender has notched one win.
Last season Omaha and Bloomington split a pair of late January games at Ralston Arena. Omaha took the opening game 4-1 before Bloomington won the second night 6-3. Austin Alger (1g) and Mitch Perrault (1a) are the only returners to record a point against the Thunder last season.
Alumni Notes:
NCAA:
Former captain Nick Rivera had a big night on Friday as Minnesota State rolled over Alaska 7-1. Rivera netted two goals and added an assist for the Mavericks. Rivera added another assist in a 4-2 loss on Saturday. Tyler Vesel (1g, 2a) had a three point night for the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks in Friday's victory. Luc Snuggerud recorded a goal, and Jake Randolph added on an assist. Patrick Harper picked up a pair of assists in Boston University's 7-0 win on Friday night. Jakob Forsabacka Karlsson factored in on all three BU goals on Saturday in a 3-0 win over Quinnipiac. Alex Rauter had a pair of points (1g, 1a) in two wins for Cornell this weekend while Anthony Angello picked up a goal on Saturday.
AHL:
Thatcher Demko (Utica Comets), making his second career AHL appearance, recorded 24 saves and allowed three goals in a 3-2 loss to Albany on Saturday.
NHL:
Paul Stastny scored his third goal of the season in the Blues 6-4 win over Calgary on Saturday.
Season tickets are on sale now! Full, half, and military plans available with flexible, interest-free payment plans and exclusive benefits. For more information contact the Lancers Front Office at 402-344-7825, Ext. 1 or visit www.lancers.com.
Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to "Like" the official "Omaha Lancers" page on Facebook.
United States Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2016
- Media Advisory Krygier Named to Team USA for World Hockey Challenge - Lincoln Stars
- [USHL's Chicago Steel] JOHNNY WALKER NAMED CCM/USHL FORWARD OF THE WEEK - Chicago Steel
- Jaxon Castor Named CCM/USHL Goaltender of the Week - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- CCM Players of the Week - USHL
- Storm Adds Goaltender Eric Dop from NAHL - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers Weekly: Road Swing Continues as Lancers Head to Bloomington - Omaha Lancers
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