USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Come up Short in 3-2 Loss to Omaha

Published on January 4, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD--The Sioux Falls Stampede's bid to put a winning streak together to start 2012 came up just short as the Herd fell 3-2 to the Omaha Lancers Wednesday night at the Sioux Falls Arena. A controversial goal in the second period was the difference in the game as the Herd fell to 10-14-1 on the season and remain in 8th place in the Western Conference. Nick Nielsen and Todd Skirving scored for the Herd while Charlie Lindgren made 26 saves in the loss. Alex Lyon stopped 28 shots in goal for Omaha as the Lancers improved to 16-10-2 on the year.

The Stampede wasted little time getting things going, scoring just 1:40 in on Nick Nielsen's fifth goal of the season. Eric Brenk made a nice chip off the boards down the left wing side where Justin Selman picked up the puck, skated inside the left circle and then fed the puck across the crease to Nielsen who one-timed it into the net. The celebration would be short lived however as Mark Miller blasted a shot from the high slot just minutes later to tie the game at one. It remained that way until 17:01 of the period when Michael Ferrantino found the back of the net to give the Lancers a 2-1 lead. The Stampede outshot Omaha 13-10 in the period.

In the second, the Lancers doubled their lead when Greg Gozzo slipped the puck past Lindgren. The game was somewhat controversial however as it appeared the net came off and the puck never crossed the line. The referee's ruled however that it was a goal and the Lancers took a 3-1 lead. The Stampede would respond however, scoring just 47 seconds later when Todd Skirving tallied his ninth goal of the season. Kyle Rankin found Joseph Lordo at the point who quickly slide the puck through the slot to Skirving. Skirving moved in on goal and wristed a shot past Omaha netminder Alex Lyon to put the Stampede within a goal. The Herd nearly tied it later in the period as Rankin broke in free on a breakaway, but his shot clanked off the left goal post and the game remained 3-2. Lindgren made a terrific glove save with just over five minutes remaining in the period for Sioux Falls or Omaha would have taken a two goal lead into the locker room.

Sioux Falls nearly tied the game in the third period with several good scoring chances, including the final minutes when Mark Solyankin wristed a shot from inside the left circle, but somehow Lyon was able to get a pad on the puck to keep it a 3-2 game. The Herd tried to pull Lindgren late, but had trouble getting the puck out of their own zone and were unable to get the equalizer.

The Herd outshot the Lancers 30-29 on the night and went 0 for 2 on the powerplay while killing off all three Lancers powerplay opportunities. Sioux Falls returns to action Friday night when they travel to Lincoln to face the Stars at 7:05 PM. Fans can catch the game on KELO-AM 1320 starting at 6:40 with pre-game coverage.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2012


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