Randolph Scores In Overtime As Lancers Force Game Four
April 18, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA - The Omaha Lancers fought through a late charge from the Sioux City Musketeers down the stretch on Friday, but emerged 4-3 overtime winners in game three of the two teams' best-of-five Western Conference Semi-Final series at Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. With the win, the Lancers still trail in the series two games to one entering a must-win game four for Omaha on Saturday at 7:05 pm, again in Sioux City.
The Lancers set the tone early in the first and established a physical forecheck that resulted in ten shots on goal and numerous quality scoring chances, but through 20 minutes, the Lancers and Musketeers remained scoreless. Thanks to a smothering approach in their own zone, Omaha held Sioux City without a shot on goal in the opening stanza and after a late-period Trevor Olson cross-checking call, the Lancers entered the middle frame with 1:38 remaining on their second power-play of the game.
Unable to convert on their man-up chance to start the second, the Lancers got caught up ice at 1:46 when Avery Peterson, in alone on a breakaway, creatively dropped a feed to the trailing Trevor Olson who poked home a Musketeers score on Sioux City's first shot of the game to make it 1-0 Muskies. A stubborn Lancers effort ensued and at 11:03, after a bevy of quality scoring bids went begging for Omaha, Tyler Vesel squeezed home a rebound score to tie the game at one with Steven Johnson and Jake Randolph netting assists on the play. Determined to grasp their first lead of the series in the wake of Vesel's marker, an energized Lancers side did just that at 15:36 when Randolph bounced a feed to Tucker Poolman on the right point and the Lancers captain did the rest, burning home his first goal of the playoffs to make it 2-1 Lancers after two.
In a hard-hitting third period, Vesel pushed the Lancer lead to 3-1 at 14:14 on a feed from Poolman, but after back-to-back goals for the Musketeers, from Adam Johnson and Avery Peterson at 14:39 and 16:46 respectively, the Lancers were pushed to overtime for the second time in the series. An overtime frame heavy on scoring chances both ways ensued, but with time winding down in the initial extra session, Randolph burst down the right side at 16:46 and zipped home a screeching, unassisted wrister that beat Sioux City goaltender Kyle Hayton to the stick side and delivered the Lancers their first victory of the series.
Next up for the Lancers, it's another do-or-die playoff tilt at the Tyson Events Center on Saturday for game four of the Western Conference Semi-Finals vs. the Sioux City Musketeers with the opening faceoff set for 7:05 pm. 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.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2014
- Randolph Scores In Overtime As Lancers Force Game Four - Omaha Lancers
- Ice shut out Gamblers - Indiana Ice
- Reich Rebounds, Saints Earn 1-0 Win & Take Series Lead - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm End 2013-14, Set Sights on Next Season - Tri-City Storm
- Wahlin Commits to St. Cloud State - Tri-City Storm
- Black Hawks Advance to Second Round - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Ice Takes Series Lead with 1-0 Shutout - Indiana Ice
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.
