Sioux City Drops Game One
April 17, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux City Musketeers News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD | The Musketeers started their quest for their 4th Clark Cup on Tuesday night in Sioux Falls against the Stampede. It was a back and forth game with both teams trading blows all game long. Unfortunately, Sioux Falls would land the final blow in this one, taking game 1 by a final score of 2-1.
Sioux Falls came out fast and heavy early in this one. The Herd used their speed and their excellent transition game to hem the Musketeers in their half of the ice while limiting the Musketeers to just five shots on net. Sioux Falls would capitalize late in the period on a goal by Jared Wescott. Ryan Sullivan narrowly won a race to the puck in the corner and threw the puck to the front of the net where Westcott jammed it home to give the Stampede the lead. The period would end with Sioux City down a goal and that slow 1st period seemed to wake up the Musketeers.
Sioux City came out flying in the 2nd period and took it to the Stampede for much of the period. The Musketeers did a great job clogging up the neutral zone and attacking the Stampede D in their zone to prevent the Herd from using their speed. Sioux City would be rewarded for their efforts eight minutes into the period. Martin Pospisil made a great effort to force a turnover in the Stampede zone and dished the puck to Blake Biondi in the slot, and Biondi fired it five-hole to tie the game up at one. The Musketeers would get a chance on the powerplay just a few minutes later. They hit two posts with the man-advantage but failed to find the back of the net.
The 3rd period was a tight one 5 on 5, but the Sioux Falls would take advantage of their powerplay opportunities to take the lead. Jack Babbage was called for a roughing minor and with 37 seconds to go on the kill Parker Ford received a double minor for high sticking giving the Herd a 5 on 3 opportunity. Sioux Falls wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunity and Andre Lee eventually tipped one past Ben Kraws to give the Herd the lead.
Sioux City continued to battle the rest of the way but could not find an answer. Final score 2-1
Ben Kraws was excellent in net for Sioux City, making 24 saves on 26 shots while Jaxson Stauber made 12 saves for the Stampede.
The Musketeers are now in a winner take all scenario with game two tomorrow night. If the Musketeers can stay out of the box and get outstanding goaltending from Ben Kraws they have an excellent chance to even. Puck drop set for 7:05 pm, see you there Musketeer Nation!
United States Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2019
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Steel Sign Ryan Ufko to Tender - Chicago Steel
- Chicago Steel Sign Ufko to Tender - USHL
- Sioux City Drops Game One - Sioux City Musketeers
- RoughRiders Advance to Conference Semifinals - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Stampede Take Game 1 from Sioux City, 2-1 - Sioux Falls Stampede
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