USHL Tri-City Storm

Omaha Defeats Storm in Shootout

Published on March 13, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


RALSTON, Neb. - In the final battle of the season between the two in-state rivals, the Tri-City Storm (21-25-7) took a third period lead on a goal by Trevor Mingoia, but ultimately fell to the Omaha Lancers (32-23-0) in a shootout by a final score of 4-3.

The Storm got goals from Brian Ward, Jared Linnell and Mingoia in the loss, while Grant Opperman had two assists and Michael Vecchione picked up his fiftieth point of the season.

Omaha took a 1-0 lead early in the first period on a goal by Connor Chatham 2:12 into the game. The Lancers continued to have the edge through the first period, but couldn't extend their lead.

Tri-City responded to tie the game at 7:23 of the second when Ward took a pass from Opperman and beat Omaha goaltender Alex Lyon with a wrist shot just over the outstretched glove. The goal was number 21 for Ward on the season, tying him for the team lead with Vecchione.

The Lancers re-took the lead late in the first on Chatham's second goal of the game, but once again the Storm bounced back and tied things up at 2-2 when Linnell scored 43 seconds later.

Linnell got a pass from Vecchione and took it to the net to beat Lyon. Linemate Trevor Moore was awarded the second assist on the play.

Things heated up in the third period and the game intensified. Tri-City took their first lead of the game on Mingoia's goal, which he deflected into the back of the net at 7:26 of the third. Opperman started the rush and threw the puck on net, only to see Mingoia knock it in out of the air.

After a hooking penalty to Ward, Vecchione raced in alone and seemed to have beaten Lyon for a shorthanded goal, but the goal was waved off.

Later in the third, the Storm were called for consecutive penalties in the final two minutes and Jake Randolph tied the game with a goal during the Lancers' two-man advantage.

Both sides failed to score in overtime and the game went to a shootout.

Trevor Moore converted on a shootout goal in the third and final round to keep things alive, but Drew Melanson scored in the second half of the round to win the game for Omaha.

The Storm are back at the Viaero Event Center Friday night to face the Sioux Falls Stampede at 7:30 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Tim Bonner and Heikki Liedes along with defenseman Richard Buri and goaltender Johan Mattsson.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2013


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