USHL Sioux Falls Stampede

Stampede Unbeaten in New Year

January 5, 2004 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Sioux Falls Stampede News Release


LAST WEEK: The Sioux Falls Stampede won two of three games played. On Wednesday, December 31st Tri-City defeated the Stampede 5-2. On Friday, January 2nd the Stampede rallied from a 5-1 deficit to overcome St. Louis 6-5. On Saturday, Sioux Falls overpowered the Lincoln Stars 4-1.

Wednesday, December 31st vs Tri-City:. Up 1-0 in the second period, Tri-City pulled away from the Stampede, scoring four times to take a 5-0 lead into the third period. Bill Thomas tallied two goals and an assist while Ryan Dingle collected three assists in the win. Jim McKenzie and Ben Holmstrom notched third period goals for the Stampede. Eric Aarnio stopped 26 shots in the contest to earn the win between the pipes for Tri-City who remained in first place in the West Division.

Friday, January 2nd vs St. Louis: The Eagles jumped out of the gates quick and exploded for five first period goals. Colin Vock scored just 2:00 into the game on the powerplay to put the Eagles up 1-0. Stewart Carlin responded for the Stampede scoring just minutes later to tie the game at one. The Eagles went on to score four unanswered goals to take what seemed to be a commanding 5-1 lead. Steve Eastman scored a pair of goals while Chase Ryan and Thomas Fortney tallied goals of their own in the period. The Stampede came storming back in the second period scoring two powerplay goals by Jim McKenzie and Ben Holmstrom. In the third, the Stampede pulled to within a goal at 7:08 on a goal by Drew Sando. Brandon Harrington tied the game at 9:43 on his third goal of the season. Jim McKenzie gave the Stampede their first lead of the game, shorthanded, with 4:43 to go in the contest. Craig Vardy stopped the final 14 shots he faced and held off the Eagles late in the game to preserve the victory. McKenzie finished the games with two goals and an assist while Jeff Prough added three assists in the win.

Saturday, January 3rd vs Lincoln: After a scoreless first period, Brandon Vossberg recorded his third goal of the season 5:02 into the second to give the Stampede a 1-0 lead. In the third, Matt Ford dove in front of the net and knocked a pass from Rob Dubel into the net to give the Stampede a 2-0 lead. Brandon Harrington followed that goal with a powerplay tally just minutes later to extend the Stampede's lead to 3-0. Mick Berg ruined Craig Vardy's shutout bid by scoring with just :41 seconds left in the contest. Harrington added a late empty-net goal to seal the victory for Sioux Falls 4-1. Vardy stopped 46 of 47 shots in the game, earning his sixth victory of the year. The Stampede earned consecutive wins for the first time this season.

UP NEXT: The Stampede will play in Sioux City this Friday night and at home versus Cedar Rapids on Saturday night. Game times for both nights is 7:05 PM.

MUSKETEERS UPDATE: The Musketeers are also coming off back-to-back wins over the weekend. Last Friday, Sioux City defeated Cedar Rapids 7-6 in overtime. Both teams closed out all three periods tied with scores of 2-2 after one, 4-4 after two and 6-6 after three periods. Troy Brummett got the overtime winner at 2:02 of the extra session. Blair Yaworski and Adam Krugg finished the game with two goals and two assists each. Anthony Cosmono added a goal and an assist in the win for the Musketeers who were out-shot 41-31 in the game. On Saturday, the Musketeers defeated the St. Louis Heartland Eagles in a shootout. St. Louis took a 1-0 lead into the third period only to watch Sioux City rattle off three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead on goals by Mike Curry, Blair Yaworski and Troy Brummett. St. Louis fought back and got two late goals to tie the game and send it to overtime. After a scoreless OT, the game went to a shootout where Troy Brummett got the game winner. The Musketeers post a 17-8-3 record and are in third place in the West with 37 points.

ROUGHRIDERS UPDATE: Cedar Rapids gained three of a possible four points co weekend. On Friday, the RoughRiders fell to Sioux City 7-6 in overtime. Greg Collins had two goals and two assists in the loss for Cedar Rapids while Brian Pouliot added a goal and an assist in the game. On Saturday, the RoughRiders defeated the Danville Wings 4-1 in Danville. Brian Pouliot scored just :32 seconds into the game to put Cedar Rapids up 1-0. Nathan Perkovich put the RoughRiders up 2-0 midway through the second before Danville's Jeremy Hall scored to make it 2-1 after two periods. Jordan Hart and James Brannigan added goals in the third period to lead the RoughRiders to a 4-1 win over Danville. The RoughRiders won despite being out- shot 26-21 in the game. Cedar Rapids is now 21-10-2 and in first place in the East Division with 44 points.

STARVING STUDENT NIGHT: Saturday, January 10th is also Starving Student Night when the Stampede host Cedar Rapids. For just $5 students can enjoy a Stampede game ticket and an Extra Value Meal compliments of McDonald's of Sioux Falls! Starving Student packages are available in advance at the Stampede office with a valid student I.D. or immediately prior to the game in the arena lobby. For more information, contact the Stampede office at 336-6060.

DICE CREAM ROLL: Saturday, January 10th is Cold Stone Creamery "Dice Cream Roll Night" presented y KIKN 100.5-FM. Three (3) fans will be selected at random to host their section in a "Dice Cream Roll" contest with the winning section and contestant to come away with ice cream product coupons compliments of the new Cold Stone Creamery.

ARE YOU A BOWLER? On Sunday, February 15th the Stampede will be holding their 2nd annual Alley Rally bowling benefit sponsored by South Dakota Furniture Mart at Empire Bowl. Fans can now sign up in groups of four to participate and bowl with a player. The cost is $35 per bowler or $40 per person to pre-pick a Stampede player for your team. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Dakota and "Stampede Foundation For Kids." For more information stop by or call the Stampede office at 336-6060.

Check out the Sioux Falls Stampede Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2004


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