Special Teams Lift Lancers over Thunder, 4-1
Published on January 29, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha Lancers vs. the Bloominton Thunder
(Omaha Lancers)
Ralston, NE - Special teams was the story of the night for the Omaha Lancers as they tallied two power-play goals and a short-handed goal to defeat the visiting Bloomington Thunder, 4-1, in front of 3,010 fans at Ralston Arena on Friday night.
Omaha took the lead in the first period while on the power play. With time winding down on the man advantage, Mitch Perrault dished the puck down to the goal line for Matt Meier. After receiving the pass, Meier quickly sent the puck to Austin Alger in the hash marks who immediately let a shot go that beat Thunder goaltender Hayden Lavigne under his leg pads. The goal was Alger's eighth of the year and came at the 14:37 mark of the first frame with assists from Perrault and Meier. Perrault's helper was his 11th of the year while Meier picked up his ninth.
After no scoring in the second period, it only took eleven seconds in the third period for the Lancers to take a two-goal lead. Right after the puck dropped on the final period, Johan Steen created a chance and the save was made by Hayden Lavigne. The puck sat just outside the crease, and Nathan Krusko fired in rebound by the left leg pad of Lavigne for a 2-0 lead. It was Krusko's 11th of the year from Steen and Matt Meier.
Later in the period, JC MacLean cut to the front of the net and received a high stick as the whistle blew to stop the play. MacLean stayed on the ice while down a skater on the penalty kill. Off the next face-off, Josh French pushed the puck to his left and MacLean tapped it immediately in the net for a 3-0 lead at 6:28 of the third. The goal was his fourth of the year and first short-handed goal of the year with the only assist to French.
Bloomington pulled back within two goals later on in the final period. Alec Mehr took the puck at the top of the right wing circle and fired a shot through traffic. The shot by Mehr sailed by Lancers goaltender Zackarias Skog for his fifth of the year cutting the deficit down to two goals. Assists were given to Ethan Somoza and Matt Foley.
After a scrum in front of Omaha's net, the Lancers went on a five-on-three power play late in the game. Josh French took the puck at the top of the right wing circle and sent a soft pass down to captain Nick Rivera. The California native spun around and lifted the shot over the left shoulder of Lavigne for his team-leading 16th goal of the year and a 4-1 lead. The power-play goal came with only 1:24 left in the game.
That held up as the final and the Omaha Lancers handed Bloomington only their sixth road loss of the year. Goaltender Zackarias Skog stopped 25 of 26 shots for his eighth win of the year.
The Lancers return home tomorrow night to face the Bloomington Thunder at 7:05 p.m.! Come out as we honor the Omaha Hockey Hall of Fame wall at Ralston Arena presented by Cox Communications! Can't make it? Fans can listen live to the game beginning at 6:50 p.m. with the Valpak Pregame Show on "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL, Mighty 1290 KOIL Mobile APP, www.mighty1290koil.com, and www.FASTHockey.com.
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 Omaha Lancers vs. the Bloominton Thunder |
United States Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2016
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- Phantoms Down Rough Riders for Third Straight Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- Special Teams Lift Lancers over Thunder, 4-1 - Omaha Lancers
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- Stampede Stumble in Waterloo Friday Night - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Hawks Sprint to the Finish - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Bachman Hat Trick Spoils Fadyeyev's First Tally - Madison Capitols
- Musketeers Hang on for 3-2 Win in Dubuque - Sioux City Musketeers
- Muskegon Lumberjacks Fall to the Lincoln Stars 2-1 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Gamblers Fall in Overtime - Green Bay Gamblers
- Muskegon Lumberjacks Fall to the Lincoln Stars 2-1 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stars Outlast Lumberjacks, 2-1 - Lincoln Stars
- Thunder Travel to Omaha - Bloomington Thunder
- Caps Chasing Better Outcome in Rematch with Steel - Madison Capitols
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