Rivera, French Score in 5-2 Loss in Youngstown
April 1, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers in Front of the Youngstown Phantoms Goal
(Omaha Lancers)
Youngstown, OH - Nick Rivera scored a power-play and Josh French added a late tally but it wasn't enough as the Youngstown Phantoms came away with a 5-2 win over the Omaha Lancers inside the Covelli Centre on Friday night.
Youngstown took the lead just 5:20 into the game. Chase Pearson was inside his offensive zone right wing circle for the Phantoms. He fed Vas Kolias on the left side who fired a one-timer that beat a diving Lancers goaltender, Zackarias Skog. Kolias' goal was his sixth of the season with assists from Chase Pearson and Yushiroh Hirano for the one-goal lead. The assist was Pearson's 29th of the year while Hirano's helper was his 20th.
A giveaway by the Lancers at their own blue line later in the first period helped the Phantoms take a two-goal advantage. Chase Pearson forced the turnover and immediately tapped the puck ahead to Cam Morrison. After receiving the quick pass, Morrison walked in on a breakaway from the top of the circle and beat Zackarias Skog on his glove side for the 2-0 lead. The goal was Morrison's team-leading 28th of the year and came with 6:48 left in the opening frame.
In the second period, Michael Bigelbach pinched down the left wing side and Youngstown created a four-on-one rush the other way after tapping the puck by him. Cameron Morrison was joined by Kevin Conley and the trailing player was Jason Cotton. Morrison fed the puck to Cotton who played a wrist shot by the blocker of Zackarias Skog and off the inside of the right post for the three-goal lead. The goal was Cotton's sixth of the season with helpers from Morrison and Conley at 5:19 of the second frame.
In the final period, Nick Rivera tallied a power-play goal to pull the Lancers to a two-goal deficit. Jake Massie took the puck inside the blue line and stepped up to the top of the offensive zone circles. Rivera skated to the front of the crease and deflected a Jake Massie slap shot over the left shoulder of Ryan Bednard for Omaha's first goal of the night. Assists on Rivera's 21st of the year were given to Massie and Patrick Harper 9:34 into the final period.
Shortly after, Lukas Craggs recorded his 12th of the year at the 13:01 mark to move Youngstown back out to a three-goal advantage with assists from Chase Pearson and Matthew Alvaro. The assist was Pearson's third of the night. Each team scored one more goal late in the game. Cameron Morrison tapped in his second goal of the night with the net empty while Omaha's Josh French went top shelf with 0:20 left in the game. Youngstown won their fourth straight with a 5-2 win.
The Lancers remain on the road tomorrow night in Youngstown and Sunday in Chicago. Tomorrow, puck drops at 7:05 p.m. ET / 6:05 p.m. CT. Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. ET / 5:50 p.m. CT with the Valpak Pregame Show on News Talk 1290, the Omaha Lancers Mobile App, online at www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.
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 Omaha Lancers in Front of the Youngstown Phantoms Goal |
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