USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede End Skid with 5-2 Thumping of Des Moines

Published on February 15, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD--Revenge proved sweet for the Sioux Falls Stampede against the Des Moines Buccaneers on Wednesday night as the Herd blasted the Bucs, 5-2 at the Arena. Sioux Falls not only avenged a loss Friday to the Bucs, but also snapped a seven-game winless streak in which they were 0-5-2. Austyn Young had two goals for the Herd (13-23-3) while Justin Selman and Matt Van Voorhis each tallied a goal and an assist. Charlie Lindgren stopped 30 of 32 shots to earn his 7th win of the season.

The win moved the Stampede within five points of the Buccaneers for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Herd are now 4-1-0 against the Bucs, who fell to 15-21-4.

"We've been playing a lot of good hockey," said head coach Kevin Hartzell. "We just haven't been able to win games."

The Buccaneers tallied the first goal of the game less than two minutes into the period when a Herd turnover led to a rush and a Trent Samuels-Thomas one-timer past Charlie Lindgren. Despite some less-than-fluid passing, the Stampede were still able to get some quality shots on Bucs netminder Pheonix Copley, putting 13 shots on goal in the period. The first penalty of the game was called with 4:30 left when Herd defensemen Dan Carlson was sent to the box for roughing, giving the Bucs a chance to double their lead. However, Sioux Falls had no trouble killing off the penalty and went on to tie the game with under two minutes left when Austyn Young put his seventh goal of the season into the net off of a rebound from the left side. Lindgren and Copley shared identical numbers after the first period, each stopping 12 of 13 opposing shots.

"We got the monkey off our back tonight, and hopefully we get on a roll here," said Lindgren after the victory, the Herd's first game of three this week.

It didn't take long for the Herd to grab the lead as Matt Van Voorhis backhanded a shot from Todd Skirving past Copley's left side only 1:25 into the period for his seventh goal of the season. Des Moines responded nearly halfway through the period when Buccaneer winger Hussar backhanded the puck into the net as Lindgren's back was turned. The game-tying goal didn't discourage the Herd as they regained the lead at 12:10 on a power play goal when Justin Selman rocketed in a shot from the right side, giving Sioux Falls a 3-2 advantage. The Herd weren't finished though, as 29 seconds later Kyle Rankin put a rebound off the boards behind Copley in for his 12th goal of the season, making it 4-2 in favor of Sioux Falls. With three goals in the period alone, the Stampede matched their scoring total from their last three games.

"We won all the little battles in the defensive zone tonight," said Young. "Since we took care of the defensive zone we had a lot of offense generated."

The Herd would be able to hold off the Bucs the rest of the game without much resistance, going on the power play once and scoring again with an Austyn Young empty-net goal, his second of the game. Sioux Falls was 1 for 3 on the power play, while Des Moines was unable to capitalize on two opportunities.

"It's awesome to walk into a locker room and see the happiness that comes with winning a game, because it's been a while," said coach Hartzell.

The Stampede will travel to Kearney Friday to face the Tri-City Storm at 7:05 PM. Pregame coverage with Jim Olander can be heard on 1320 KELO-AM. Sioux Falls returns home on Saturday for the ever famous Wiener Dog Race when they host Sioux City at 7:05 PM.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2012


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