Ludwig's 2 Goals Fuels Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Team USA
December 4, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
The Omaha Lancers scored early in the 3rd period to tie the game and late in the 3rd period to win it as Omaha pulled off another come-from-behind victory topping Team USA 3-2 Friday evening at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. With the win, the Lancers improved to 18-3 on the year and remain atop both the West Division and USHL standings with 36 points.
The Lancers grabbed the game's opening tally and the only marker of period one when perfect tic-tac-toe passing on the power play led to a backdoor one-timer for CJ Ludwig. Matt White and Erik Haula grabbed the two assists on Ludwig's 4th power play goal of the season and his 4th goal in his last six games. With the assist, White extended his league-leading point streak to 17 consecutive games.
After 17 minutes of scoreless action in the 2nd period, USA found the back of the net for the first time in the game as Matthew Nieto's wrist shot from between the circles changed direction and snuck past Lancers goaltender Jeff Teglia. Then, just 63 seconds later, USA grabbed its only lead of the contest when Jason Zucker orchestrated a beautiful odd-man rush setting up Chase Balisy's goal 18:08 into the middle period giving the Red, White and Blue a 2-1 lead through 40 minutes.
Omaha wasted little time getting the game even in the third, however, as a sprawling centering pass by Seth Ambroz set up Haula's feed to White who tapped in his 15th goal of the season just 1:55 into the period. After three consecutive USA power plays, including a 16 second two-man advantage, the Lancers finally earned a power play chance of their own when Frankie Simonelli was caught for hooking with just 2:45 left in regulation. The Lancers made USA pay for the miscue as Ludwig popped in his 2nd goal of the game and 5th of the season in a virtual mirror-image of Omaha's goal that opened the scoring. Haula and White assisted on the eventual game-winning goal scored 17:43 into the final frame.
Jeff Teglia earned the victory in goal for the Lancers turning aside 22 of USA's 24 total shots. With the win, Teglia improved to 14-2 on the season and continues to pace all USHL netminders in victories. USA's Jack Campbell suffered the loss after 22 saves on 25 Omaha shots.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they welcome the Indiana Ice to the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2009
- Buccaneers Dominate Indiana Ice - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Gamblers Win Round One - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Ludwig's 2 Goals Fuels Thrilling 3-2 Win Over Team USA - Omaha Lancers
- U.S. Nat'l U18 Team Edged by Omaha, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
- D-Men Lead Way To Phantoms' Win - Youngstown Phantoms
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