USHL Omaha Lancers

Randolph Makes History As Lancers Top Herd 4-2

Published on April 5, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD - In the final game of the 2013-14 regular season, the Omaha Lancers fought through a tight-checking game to claim a 4-2 victory over the Sioux Falls Stampede at Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Saturday. With the win, the Lancers finished the season at 39-14-7 and with 85 points capped their campaign in second place in the Western Conference standings, set for a first-round date with the third-seeded Sioux City Musketeers in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

The Lancers wasted no time in flexing their offensive muscles on Saturday as Tyler Vesel ripped home his 33rd goal of the year at 1:23 of the opening period to make it 1-0 Omaha with Matt Nelson and Jake Randolph collecting assists on the play. Randolph's helper, his league-leading 59th of the season, tied the future Nebraska-Omaha Maverick for the USHL's Tier 1 era record (2002 to present) for assists in a season. Brian Williams extended the advantage for the Lancers at 7:47 when the San Diego, California native swatted home his ninth goal of the season to make it 2-0 with Zach Jordan notching the marker's lone assist.

In the middle period, the Lancers kept their foot on the gas as the Omaha lead ballooned to 3-0 at 7:04 of the frame thanks to Ryan Tait's 16th of the year, a laser of a high-glove wrister, set up by Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson. Sioux Falls hung tough though, as the Stampede got on the board just over three minutes later on a sturdy finish from UMass recruit Keith Burchett that drew Sioux Falls within two goals after two periods.

A Burchett deflection midway through the third period pulled the Stampede within one until the game's final minute when, with the Sioux Falls net empty, Randolph found Gage Hough at center ice and the Omaha native willed a neutral zone, backhand flip into the yawning Stampede cage to hoist the Lancers to a 4-2 win and deliver Randolph the USHL's Tier 1 era assist record with his 60th helper of the year.

Next up for the Lancers, it's the beginning of the quest for Omaha's eighth Clark Cup championship, as the 2014 Clark Cup Playoffs begin Saturday, April 12th at 7:05 pm vs. the Sioux City Musketeers at Ralston Arena in game one of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Playoff tickets are on sale now at the Ralston Arena box office, by phone at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or online at www.lancers.com. Full coverage of Saturday's game begins with the "Valpak Pregame Show" at 6:50 pm on the Lancers' flagship station, "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL with Lancers broadcaster Tony Brown providing the play-by-play.

In 2014-15, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 29th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' third campaign at the state-of-the-art Ralston Arena are available now starting at just $12.50 per game! To reserve your seats, contact the Lancers' ticket office today at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or log on to www.lancers.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Omaha Lancers" fan page on Facebook.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2014


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