Omaha's Comeback Falls Just Short in 6-5 Shootout Loss
Published on November 17, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
The Omaha Lancers overcame three separate deficits, including a pair of two-goal deficits, Wednesday morning but couldn't overcome the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the end as Muskegon outlasted Omaha 6-5 in a shootout at the L.C. Walker Arena. Following the shootout defeat, Omaha is now 6-4-2 on the year and increased its standings points total to 14.
After 15 minutes of scoreless hockey, Muskegon grabbed the game's opening marker when Travis Belohrad pounced on a rebound in sending in his fourth goal of the season. Lance Fredrickson and Ryan Misiak assisted on the even strength marker netted with exactly five minutes left in period one. The Lumberjacks wasted little time in doubling their lead as just 11 seconds later Mike Conderman fired a left wing wrist shot under the glove of Omaha netminder Todd Mathews for his second goal of the year. Micki Mihailovich earned the only assist on the five-on-five tally. Omaha bounced right back though and trimmed the deficit back to a single goal less than a minute later when Colin Markison pumped in his second goal of the season from the top of the right wing faceoff circle. Stefan Demopoulos and Seth Ambroz assisted on the even strength goal scored 16:08 into the opening period of play.
The Lancers evened the contest a little over four minutes into the second period when Ken Babinski collected a rebound off the pad of Muskegon goaltender Paul Berrafato for his third goal of the season. Ryan Daugherty and Nathan Widman assisted on the equalizing tally. The Lumberjacks regained the lead though just under seven minutes later when Travis Walsh jumped up into the rush from the back end in snapping in his first career USHL goal. Misiak grabbed the only assist on the even strength tally which gave Muskegon a 3-2 lead through two periods of play.
Omaha wasted little time evening game again as just 2:03 into the final frame and while on the power play, Ben Marshall fired in his first career USHL marker from Justin Crandall. The Lumberjacks quickly regained momentum though and reestablished a two-goal lead with a pair of markers just 34 seconds apart. First, Casey Thrush landed his third goal of the season from John Parker and Mike Conderman 2:40 into the third period. Then, Matt Berry tallied his team-leading ninth goal of the season from Belohrad and Misiak 3:14 into the period. Omaha's resiliency remained though and the Lancers evened the game yet again with a pair of goals just 36 seconds in the dying moments of regulation. First, Ryan Daugherty wrapped in his third marker of the season from Marshall and Mike Chiasson while on the power play 17:49 into the third period. Then, with the Omaha net empty and the extra attacker on, Crandall snapped in his third goal of the season evening the contest at five apiece. Chiasson and Mark Miller assisted on the equalizing tally scored with just 1:35 left in regulation.
After neither side found the game-winning strike in overtime, Muskegon's Misiak and Walsh both scored in the shootout while Babinski netted the only Omaha goal in the shootout.
Muskegon's Berrafato earned the victory in goal with 20 saves on 25 Omaha shots. Meanwhile, Omaha's Mathews fell to 1-2-2 on the year after 20 saves on 20 Muskegon shots.
The Lancers are back in action this Friday evening when they head to the Covelli Center in Youngstown, Ohio to battle the Phantoms.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 17, 2010
- Oshie & Vanek on Ballot for NHL All-Star Game - Sioux Falls Stampede
- National Team Development Program Weekly - U.S. National Team
- Musketeers Update - Sioux City Musketeers
- Fighting Saints Get Set to Hit the Road - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Jacks Kick off Homestand with 6-5 Shootout Win Over Lancers - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Omaha's Comeback Falls Just Short in 6-5 Shootout Loss - Omaha Lancers
- Lancers Forward Miller Commits to RPI - Omaha Lancers
- Storm Can't Stop Red-Hot Stars Attack - Tri-City Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
