USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Halt Skid with 2-0 Victory in Chicago

Published on December 29, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Bensenville, IL--A Ryan Keller goal, solid goaltending and outstanding play on the penalty kill unit was the difference for the Stampede in a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Steel Wednesday night in Bensenville, IL. The win snapped a five-game losing streak and improved to 9-13-1 on the season. Stephon Williams earned his second career shutout with 18 saves. Both of his shutouts have come in Chicago against the Steel. It marked the first win in regulation for the Herd since November 19th in Des Moines.

The Stampede grabbed the first goal of the game 7:37 into the contest when Ryan Keller tallied his second goal of the season. Keller picked up the puck in the left wing corner and drove in front of the net, backhanding a shot through the pads of Chicago netminder Alex Sakellaropoulos to give the Herd a 1-0 lead. Ian Mansfield and Drew Brevig tallied assists on the goal. The Stampede would take that lead into the locker room, outshooting the Steel 8-7.

Neither team would score in the second period, but Sioux Falls controlled the entire period, outshooting the Steel 14 to 5, but couldn't convert on any scoring chances. Eric Brenk dropped the gloves with Chicago's Ryan Fraser-Lee midway through the period to spark the Stampede bench.

The game remained 1-0 late into the third period. Joseph Lordo took on a 6-foot-3, 206-pound Ali Thomas with just under eight minutes remaining and provided a spark with his strong fight. Things got a little nerve racking late in the game when Ian Mansfield was given a double minor and game ejection for a check from behind. That gave Chicago a four minute advantage, but the Stampede penalty kill was up to the challenge and even stopped a 6-on-4 advantage for a minute. The Stampede sealed the game when Austyn Young stole the puck at the Herd blueline and raced through the neutral zone before wristing a shot into the empty net to give the Stampede a 2-0 lead with 45 seconds remaining.

The Herd outshot the Steel 29-18 and went 0 for 3 on the powerplay, but were 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. The Stampede will now travel to Dubuque where they will face the Fighting Saints on Friday at 6:05 PM. The Herd return home on Saturday for a special New Year's Eve game at 5:05 PM.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2011


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