USHL Tri-City Storm

Newcomers Shine, Storm Drops in Shootout to Thunder, 4-3

December 11, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


Kearney, Ne. - Walker Duehr and Andrew Zerban scored in their Storm debuts, but the Bloomington Thunder overcame a two-goal deficit to tie before beating the Storm, 4-3, in the shootout Saturday from the Viaero Center.

Tarek Baker scored in the shootout's third round to ice the game. Bloomington knocked two goals past Jake Kielly in the skills competition. Kielly made a career-best 39 saves in regulation and overtime, including two diving breakaway saves in 3-on-3 extra session play.

Former Storm goalie Hayden Lavigne earned the shootout victory, making 22 saves in his return to the Viaero Center.

The three Storm scorers all notched their first goals of the season, including Joey Matthews, who scored at the 16:53 mark of the first on the power play to open the scoring. Paul Washe won the faceoff back to Matthews, who ripped it over the right shoulder of Lavigne. Washe finished with two assists, his second straight multi-point game.

It was Walker Duehr's turn next, scoring short post on a right-circle shot over Lavigne to make it 2-0 Tri-City edge 6:09 into the second. Washe and Justin Dixson took the helpers.

After a Sioux Falls goal at 8:10 of the second from Jeremy Davies, Duehr's shining effort continued. The forward from Sioux Falls, SD collected the primary assist on Andrew Zerban's first Storm tally at 11:36 of the second. Zerban drove the cage and ripped to give the Storm a 3-1 edge.

Mattias Goransson received the secondary helper, his USHL-defenseman-best 20th point of the season.

The Thunder rattled off the next two goals to win, scoring with 4:36 left in the second on Tarek Baker's team-best seventh of the season. Next, Blake Gober evened the game at 10:30 left in the final frame to knot the score and force overtime.

The Storm's power play finished 1-for-5, while Bloomington went 0-for-4.

Tri-City played the game without four key contributors; Nico Sturm, Jake Wahlin, John Marino and Carson Meyer. Sturm was suspended for one game for abuse of officials, while Wahlin, Marino and Meyer are in Canada for the World Junior A Challenge.

Wahlin and Marino scored in the U.S.A.'s 8-1 exhibition win over Canada East.

The Storm is at home again tomorrow at 3:05 p.m., the final chance to see the Storm before the new year, against the Thunder again for Boy Scout Day. The Storm will don specialty boy scout jerseys for the game. Groups of 10+ can get discounted group tickets for as low as $11! For more information contact the Storm Box Office at 308-338-8144.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2015


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