Murray, Gaudreau Lead Omaha in 3-1 Win Over Tri-City
Published on December 6, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha, NE - Thatcher Demko registered a personal-best 33 saves while Jimmy Murray and Matt Gaudreau each chipped in a pair of points as the Omaha Lancers knocked off the Tri-City Storm 3-1 Tuesday evening in front of 1,626 fans at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. With the win, the Lancers matched a season-high with three straight victories and improved to 12-8-2 overall this season. The victory also vaulted Omaha into sole possession atop the Western Conference with 26 standings points.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net in the opening period despite a combined 22 shots on goal. Demko turned aside all 14 Storm shots he faced in the first period, including eight shots on goal generated by three Tri-City power plays. Meanwhile, Tri-City netminder Adam Wilcox answered the eight Lancers shots he saw in the opening period of play.
Tri-City broke the scoreless deadlock just 1:52 into the second period when Tim Lappin followed up on a rebound atop the Omaha goal crease before driving in his second goal of the season. Tim Bonner grabbed the only assist on the goal, which marked the 11th time in 22 games this season that Omaha has surrendered the game's first goal. Omaha bounced back quickly though and evened the game a little over two minutes later when Matt Gaudreau set up Jimmy Murray in the slot who made no mistake in blasting home his fifth goal of the season. The five-on-five even strength marker came 4:08 into the middle stanza. The Lancers then grabbed the lead for good 7:40 into the second period when brilliant passing on the forecheck between Gaudreau and Murray set up Casey Bailey in the slot who launched a bulls-eye of a wrist shot into the upper portion of the Tri-City goal for his team-leading 12th goal of the season. The tally also proved to be Bailey's team-leading third game-winning goal of the season.
The Lancers added an insurance marker late in regulation when, with Tri-City's net empty in favor of the extra attacker, Ken Babinsky won a foot race for a loose puck at center ice before sending in his second goal of the season. The unassisted empty net tally came 18:48 into the final period of regulation.
Demko earned the victory in goal after a personal season-high 33 saves on 34 Tri-City shots. With the win, Demko improved to 3-1 on the year. Meanwhile, Wilcox suffered the loss in goal for the Storm despite 29 saves on 31 Omaha shots. Wilcox is now 8-5 overall this season and 1-3 since joining to Tri-City in a trade with the Green Bay Gamblers.
The Lancers are back in action Friday evening when Omaha begins its weekend road swing through the state of Michigan with a 7:05 showdown against the U.S. National Team Development Program.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2011
- Lancers Continue to Control Storm in Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- Murray, Gaudreau Lead Omaha in 3-1 Win Over Tri-City - Omaha Lancers
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- USHL Update - Week 10 - USHL
- Former Gambler Named to U.S. National Team Preliminary Roster - Green Bay Gamblers
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