Saints Squeeze Past Lancers, 3-1
January 25, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
RALSTON, NE - In front of a raucous crowd of 3,749 on Saturday at Ralston Arena, the Omaha Lancers dropped a tight-checking affair to the defending Anderson and Clark Cup champions, the Dubuque Fighting Saints, by a final score of 3-1 in front of the Lancers' eight sellout crowd this season and third in a row. With the loss, the Lancers fell to 27-8-4 overall this season and with 58 points, drop to second place in the Western Conference and overall USHL standings, one point behind the Waterloo Black Hawks.
Despite numerous chances both ways to begin the game, the first period's lone goal went to Dubuque, as Max McHugh persevered at 7:40 for a rebound poke that beat Omaha goaltender Hayden Hawkey low to the glove side, delivering the Fighting Saints a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
It didn't take long for the Lancers to tie things up in the second, as Tyler Vesel's league-leading 28th goal of the season leveled the score at 3:04 thanks to Jake Randolph's assist. After a bevy of chances went by the by for the Lancers in the heart of the middle stanza, Jacob Benson nudged home a loose puck in the Omaha crease at 14:03 to leave the Fighting Saints up by a 2-1 score after two.
Despite a maelstrom of offensive zone pressure manufactured by the Lancers in the third, the final frame's lone goal went to the Fighting Saints, as an empty net score for Benson, his second goal of the game, delivered Dubuque a 3-1 win. Omaha's loss on Saturday drops the Lancers out of at least a tie for first place in the overall USHL standings for the first time since October 4th, 2013, the Lancers' third game of the 2013-14 season.
Next up for the Lancers, it's a Friday clash with the Fargo Force at Scheels Arena in Fargo, North Dakota with the opening faceoff set for 7:05 pm. Full coverage of Friday'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 2013-14, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 28th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' second 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 January 25, 2014
- A Rough Ride in Cedar Rapids Ends in OT Defeat - Indiana Ice
- Stampede Come up Short Again against Tri-City - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stretching to 13 and First Place - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Saints Squeeze Past Lancers, 3-1 - Omaha Lancers
- Saints Knock off USHL's Top Team, Beat Lancers 3-1 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Under-18 Team Blitzes Muskegon in Shutout Road Victory - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Muskegon Lumberjacks Home Games this Weekend - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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