USHL Sioux City Musketeers

Special Teams Play a Big Factor in 4-3 Loss

Published on March 4, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux City Musketeers News Release


SIOUX CITY,IA - The Musketeers were back at home on Friday night to take on the Waterloo Black Hawks just 4 days after taking them on in Waterloo. While the game couldn't have started much better for Sioux City it would once again end in defeat by a final score of 4-3.

Sampo Ranta gave the Musketeers the early lead in Waterloo and he did the same tonight, scoring at almost the same point as he did in the last game. After collecting the puck in the neutral zone Sampo went streaking into the offensive zone and lifted a gorgeous backhand shot over the shoulder of Black Hawks goaltender Jared Moe to give Sioux City the lead just 5 minutes into the game. Micah Milller followed closely behind with a goal of his own just 11 seconds later. The Musketeers won the draw back to Nate Clurman who fed the puck over to his D partner Nate Knoepke. Knoepke then lifted a cross ice pass to Miller who flew by his defender. It was just Miller and the goaltender and he beat Moe on the backhand giving Sioux City a 2-0 lead just 5:29 into the game. The goal would force Moe out of the net and in his spot came Matej Tomek. Early on Tomek wouldn't fare much better. Matyas Svoboda hacked innocently at a puck, but the shot beat Tomek to give the Musketeer a 3-0 lead. Waterloo would get one back in the period off the stick of Jack Drury and Sioux City would head into the locker room leading by two.

The next two periods were all downhill for the Musketeers as the rest of their game was marred by penalties. Waterloo would cash in on a power play just 51 seconds into the 2nd period to cut the Black Hawks' deficit to one. They would get the tying goal again on the power play to tie the game up. The Musketeers managed to keep the Black Hawks off the board the rest of the period meaning the 3rd period would be set for another tense showdown.

In the 3rd period it would once again be special teams that would make the difference, but this time it was the Black Hawks' penalty kill that would step up. After an excellent zone entry Sioux City threw a no look pass to the blue line and Jackson Cates was ready to pick it off. He would go streaking down the ice and beat Jurusik on a nice backhand goal to give Waterloo the lead and that's how it would stay for the rest of the game. Sioux City would have their chances in the period but could not find the equalizer. Final score 4-3 Waterloo.

With the loss and a Lincoln win the Musketeers have dropped to seventh place in the West and out of the sixth and final playoff spot. It is officially gut check time for the Musketeers who face another tough test against the Tri-City Storm tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is set for 3:05 p.m. with no postgame skate following the game. The family 4 pack will be available for tomorrow's game for $65 just call Musketeers office or visit the Tyson Events Center to pick yours up.

Check out the Sioux City Musketeers Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2018


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