Late Game Push Isn't Enough To Get Past Stampede
January 12, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux City Musketeers News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Musketeers were in Sioux Falls for the third game of a tripleheader after splitting two games against the Fargo Force. Unfortunately, the Musketeers would be unable to take two of three on the trip, falling to the Stampede by a final score of 4-3.
Head Coach Luke Strand talked to his team about the importance of keeping things simple after the previous night's OT loss to Fargo. It looked like his players took that message to heart as they came out and played a very strong game for much of the 1st period. The momentum would shift just under halfway into the period when Sioux Falls struck. The Stampede would get a powerplay opportunity after Kevin Lombardi was called for kneeing and it didn't take long for the Stampede to take advantage. Ethan Phillips blasted a one-timer past Jake Sibell to give Sioux Falls a 1-0 advantage.
Sioux City would slowly start to turn things back their direction and capped off their hard work with a goal from Ian Malcolmson. Jordan Steinmetz put the pressure Stampede along the boards and caused a Sioux Falls defenseman to cough the puck up to a waiting Ian Malcolmson in the slot. Malcolmson wasted no time firing the puck past Calvaruso to tie the game up at one. Jordan Steinmetz had the assist on the play.
The 2nd period was all Sioux Falls. The Stampede prevented the Musketeers from gaining any kind of sustained zone pressure for much of the period. Several neutral zone turnovers led to good scoring chances for the Stampede, and they would eventually strike. Matt Kessel helped Sioux Falls regain the lead just 4:38 into the period, and Jared Wescott made it a two-goal game just 3 minutes later.
The Musketeers would get an opportunity on the powerplay with just under 5 minutes to play in the period, and they did not let it go to waste. Matt Miller made an excellent play to drive to the net before being taken down by a Sioux Falls player. Luckily the Sioux Falls goaltender, Alec Calvaruso, couldn't find the puck giving Albin Nilsson the chance to jam home a rebound and cut the Stampede to 3-2. There was no assist on the play.
The play seemed to even back up in the 3rd period, and eventually, Sioux City would get a big powerplay opportunity when Jami Krannila received a five minute major for boarding. Almost immediately, Ian Malcolmson was called for tripping, nullifying two minutes of the five-minute powerplay. Sioux City failed to find the back of the net during the man advantage and it would prove to be costly.
Sioux Falls made it a 4-2 game with under 3 minutes to play to make any kind of comeback doubtful. The Musketeers continued to battle and would crawl back within one with the goalie pulled. Marcus Kallionkieli swatted home a loose puck at the 18:14 mark to cut the deficit to 4-3. Ian Malcolmson and Tommy Pasanen had the assists on the play.
Unfortunately, Sioux City couldn't find the game-tying goal, falling by a final score of 4-3. Jake Sibell got the start in net tonight and stopped 23 of 27 Stampede shots while Calvaruso made 12 stops for the Stampede.
The Musketeers will now get two days off before hitting the road again to take on the Waterloo Black Hawks on Tuesday night. Puck drop set for 7:05 pm.
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United States Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2019
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- The Wolfe Howls in 5-4 Overtime Win Friday Night - Chicago Steel
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