USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Lose Wild One to Lancers, 8-5

Published on January 13, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Sioux Falls, SD---Defense was optional Friday night as the Sioux Falls Stampede and Omaha Lancers combined for 13 goals en route to an 8-5 Omaha victory over the Herd at the Arena. Max Vallis had a hat trick for the Lancers (19-10-2) and goaltender Alex Lyon stopped 37 of 42 Stampede shots. Justin Selman tallied four points on a goal and three assists for Sioux Falls (11-16-1) while Kyle Rankin had a goal and assist of his own. Stampede newcomer Travis Belohrad also had two shots in his first game with Sioux Falls. Friday's have not been friendly to the Herd who are now just 1-11-1 on Friday night games.

"I thought we played really, really well," said head coach Kevin Hartzell. "We made a few mistakes and Omaha, to their credit, buried a couple pucks."

Omaha scored first only 3:22 into the opening period when Greg Gozzo deflected in a shot from center Jimmy Murray. Sioux Falls had several great chances to tie the game, including a goal that was waved off with 9:32 remaining in the period. The Herd would finally even the score at 1-1 with 7:39 left when Kyle Rankin put a rebound into an open net from the left side off of a Justin Selman shot. Another scoring opportunity would present itself to the Herd with a power play at 15:57 on an Omaha slashing call, but Sioux Falls would be unable to capitalize. The teams ended the first period tied 1-1 and Sioux Falls would go into the locker room with a 12-7 shot on goal advantage.

Omaha would regain the lead at 5:09 with a Max Vallis wrist shot right off the face-off. However, Sioux Falls would tie the game for a second time at 7:16 when forward Ryan Keller would get a wrist shot through the five hole of Omaha goalie Alex Lyon, for his fourth goal of the season. The period would take a turn for the worse for the Herd with just over 11 minutes remaining in the period when the Lancers would score their first of three consecutive goals. The onslaught started with a blast from Max Vallis at 8:43 inside the right circle from Jonathan Liau, Vallis' second goal of the evening. Less than two minutes later Lancer winger Dominic Sacco would give Omaha a two goal advantage with a beautiful backhand shot in front of goalie Stephon Williams, making the contest 4-2. The score would become 5-2 with a Victor Newell one-timer from the right side with 3:56 left in the second period. Williams stopped 9 shots out of 13 he faced.

Charlie Lindgren relieved Stephon Williams to start the third period, but things wouldn't get much better for the Herd, thanks to a Greg Gozzo goal at 3:40 which gave the Lancers a 6-2 lead, their biggest lead of the night. Sioux Falls responded just 1:18 later when Justin Selman tipped the puck past Lyon, making the game 6-3 in favor of Omaha. A Dan Carlson deflection would cut the Lancer lead to 6-4 with 9:40 remaining in the game. Despite the Herd's valiant effort, Max Vallis would put the dagger in the heart at 12:12 with his third goal of the game, once again giving Omaha a comfortable lead at 7-4. Sioux Falls' Dan Carlson would put the Herd within two goals for a second time, but a Lancer empty-net goal with 21 seconds left would clinch the victory for Omaha.

"We're just going to have to regroup," said Hartzell. "You have no other choice."

Sioux Falls will face the Dubuque Fighting Saints tomorrow night 7:05 pm at the Arena. Tickets are still available through the Sioux Falls Arena Box Office. Fans can catch the game on KELO-AM 1320 with pre-game coverage starting at 6:40 PM with Jim Olander.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2012


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