Shaw, Rombach's First USHL Goals Propel Stars Past Force
December 10, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Reese Shaw scored the go-ahead goal and Jacob Rombach netted the game-winner as the Lincoln Stars defeated the Fargo Force, 5-3, on Saturday night at the Ice Box.
Lincoln (7-14-0-2) erupted for three goals in the third period to break a 2-2 tie and hand Fargo (19-3-1-0) its third regulation loss of the young season and first since Nov. 22. The Stars also scored five-or-more goals in a game for the fourth time in the last six games.
The two teams entered the third period tied up for the second straight night but the two first USHL goals by Shaw and Rombach along with an empty-net tally by BlakeMontgomery evened up the weekend tripleheader.
JuanCopeland recorded a two-point night and put the Stars on the board first with a give-and-go goal off a setup from MartinMasa at the 11:16 mark of the first. Fargo answered with seven seconds left in the period when Reid Daavettila whacked home a rebound near post side.
JackPechar scored his first goal at home since the home opener to re-give the Stars the lead 52 seconds into the second. His wrist shot from the slot off a feed from Montgomery along the near boards was his ninth goal of the season. Again, the Force answered as Jake Fisher scored with a wrist shot of his own in the slot 4:05 later.
Shaw began a rush the other way to five the Stars the lead again for good. After receiving a return feed from Copeland at center ice Shaw sped into the attacking zone, deked to the slot and stuck with the play after the puck ricocheting off a defending skate back to him. His first USHL goal gave the Stars a 3-2 lead at the 5:11 mark of the third.
"(Copeland) gave me a good backdrop pass," Shaw said. "Just went to the net and did what coach always says and shot under the hands. It was big to get that and help the team win."
Rombach gave the Stars their largest lead of the night at the time when KeatonPeters initially missed the net on a chance in front of the net and follow up his rebound behind the cage to set up Rombach from the left point.
"Once (Peters) passed it I was just trying to keep my head up and look at the net," Rombach said. "It went in, probably went off one of their defenders but it was a goal. It took a while for me to get my first goal but it felt awesome."
Montgomery slipped around the defense to score the empty-net goal at the 18:42 mark for the Stars' third straight goal before Masun Fleece answered 31 seconds later for Fargo for the final goal of the night.
The Stars and the Force wrap up the weekend tripleheader tomorrow after earning a win apiece through two games. Puck drop is at 5:05 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at lincolnstars.com.
"Both teams are tired," head coach Rocky Russo said. "Both teams have been through six really hard periods of hockey. It's who can buy into their identity more. Who can be a part of something bigger than themselves. Sacrifice, do the little things shift after shift. Manage the adversity that a game three in three days comes with, and just find a way to keep our bench positive."
United States Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2023
- Force Take Two-Of-Three from Stars - Lincoln Stars
- Gameday Preview - Lincoln Stars
- Saturday Rewind: Taking a Look at Last Night's Action in the USHL - USHL
- Teddy Bear Toss, an Annual Tri-City Storm Tradition Continues - Tri-City Storm
- Shaw, Rombach's First USHL Goals Propel Stars Past Force - Lincoln Stars
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.
