USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Top Storm in Shootout Thriller in Front of 9,014 Fans

Published on September 24, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


Stampede Top Storm in Shootout Thriller in Front of 9,014 Fans
Stampede Top Storm in Shootout Thriller in Front of 9,014 Fans
(Sioux Falls Stampede, Credit: Chad Phillips)

Sioux Falls, SD-The Sioux Falls Stampede started the season off in dramatic fashion, downing the Tri-City Storm 3-2 in a shootout before an opening night crowd of 9,014 fans at the PREMIER Center. Eric MacAdams tallied a goal and an assist in regulation and the game winner in the shootout while Jeremy Swayman stole the show with 48 saves in his USHL debut. It marks the second straight season the Herd won their home opener under head coach Scott Owens.

Sioux Falls used the home crowd to their advantage early in the first period and came out shooting. Eric MacAdams got the crowd on their feet with a goal just 7:46 into the hockey game. Austin Albrecht took the puck behind the Tri-City net and sent a perfect pass into the slot for MacAdams who wristed the puck past Storm goaltender Dayton Rasmussen to give the Herd a 1-0 lead. It looked like Sioux Falls would hold that lead into the second after killing off a 5-on-3, but the Storm found the net with just 59 seconds left when Wyllum Deveaux one-timed a pass in from the slot to make it a 1-1 game. Tri-City outshot the Herd 18-9.

The Herd regained the lead just 2:20 into the second when Jason O'Neil tallied his first of the year. Albrecht got the first shot off that was stopped by Rasmussen, but the rebound bounced to O'Neil who quickly knocked it in to give Sioux Falls a 2-1 edge. Tri-City wouldn't lay down though and they eventually tied the game again at 11:01 when Paul Washe snuck in front of the net and scored. The Storm dominated the rest of the period, outshooting the Herd 13-4, but Swayman continued to frustrate the Storm with great goaltending.

After a scoreless third period in which neither team scored the game headed into overtime. For the first game of the season, fans were treated to a playoff like overtime with both teams exchanging great scoring chances, but Rasmussen and Swayman were up to the challenge and kept the game tied after 65 minutes.

In the shootout, Swayman stopped the first shooter Deveaux and Matthew Quercia went top shelf on his shot for the Herd to give them a 1-0 edge. After another save from Swayman, MacAdams sealed the win with a great move, faking to his backhand and switching to his forehand where he tucked the puck under the pads of Rasmussen to give Sioux Falls the victory.

Tri-City outshot the Herd 50-28 on the night, but went 0-for-5 on the power play while the Herd were 0-for-2.

The Stampede return to action next Friday when they travel to Cedar Rapids to face the RoughRiders at 7:05 PM. Fans can catch the game live on KELO News Talk 1320-AM, 107.9-FM and online at kelo.com. The Herd return to the PREMIER Center next Saturday, October 1st to face Waterloo at 7:05 PM. Tickets are available through the KELOLAND Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics

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Images from this story

Stampede Top Storm in Shootout Thriller in Front of 9,014 Fans
Stampede Top Storm in Shootout Thriller in Front of 9,014 Fans
(Chad Phillips)		   



United States Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2016


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