Raftery's Shorthanded Goal Gives Stars Win Over Sioux City
March 4, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Patrick Raftery scored the game-winning goal with 40.6 seconds remaining in regulation and the Lincoln Stars defeated the Sioux City Musketeers, 5-3, on Friday night at the Ice Box.
Lincoln (26-17-3) went on the penalty kill with 1:54 remaining in regulation and the game tied 3-3. A Sioux City (19-21-2-3) turnover at the blue line led Daniel Sambuco the other way on a shorthanded opportunity. His shot missed the net but the puck caromed off the glass and perfectly to a wide-open Raftery, who backhanded it into the net to eventually snap the Stars' six-game losing streak.
"When you're in a tough stretch like where we were you're just trying to find a way," Head coach Rocky Russo said. "We had a great start and then we took our foot off the gas. We found a way to pop one in the second to take the lead and then tied it so our character was really tested there in the third period. For us to find a way and get a big win on home ice was really big for the group. I could see the relief in their face a little bit and that's a great step."
Raftery's tally was the first of two shorthanded goals, both of which came in the final minute. Brennan Ali scored an empty-net goal during a Musketeers' six-on-four sequence 28 seconds after the go-ahead tally. Lincoln's seven shorthanded goals are tied for third-most in the USHL.
Raftery matched his goal total from a season ago with his third of the year. His first goal since Oct. 22 was also his first game-winning goal of the season.
"I saw (Daniel) on the breakaway," Raftery said, "and I figured I should follow up just in case a rebound came out and that's exactly what happened. He was working hard there and he made that happen."
Doug Grimes also scored twice to record his first multi-goal game of the season. His first goal was made possible by a great play from Mason Marcellus. The Stars captain was able to handle a pass behind him and get a backhand shot off before Grimes poked in the rebound to make it 2-0, Stars, at 5:51 of the first.
Grimes cashed in again in the second period after a huge stop by Cameron Whitehead on a breakaway opportunity. Antonio Fernandez quickly tossed the puck up to center ice to Raftery, who entered the zone and dropped the puck off to Grimes behind him. Grimes flicked a wrist shot past Axel Mango to give Lincoln a 3-2 lead eight minutes into the second period.
German Yavash scored the game's first goal and his first in a Stars uniform by scooping up a blocked shot in between the circles and firing the puck into the top right corner 3:18 into the game.
Neither Lincoln lead in the first two periods. The Stars scored twice in the opening 5:51 of the game but a Sioux City power-play goal and a late breakaway tally evened it up after 20 minutes. Ryan Conmy scored his fifth goal against the Stars at 15:02 of the second to again even things up at 3-3 heading into the second intermission.
"We were doing everything we could at that point," Grimes said. "They came back and scored and both teams were playing well. We just stuck with it and it worked out in the end. To come out on top shows that we had that extra push in our game tonight."
The Stars are home again on Saturday night but take on a different opponent as they welcome the Waterloo Black Hawks to the Ice Box for the first time this season. The puck drops at 6:05 and it's Buddy Pass Night. 7th Star members can redeem their additional ticket voucher at the ticket office to bring a friend to the game. Tickets can be purchased here.
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