Stars Beat Sioux City to Clinch Playoff Berth
March 26, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The Lincoln Stars punched their ticket to the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 win over the Sioux City Musketeers on Saturday night at the Tyson Events Center.
Lincoln (31-18-3-1) led 3-0 1:27 into the second period before tacking on two insurance goals late to earn its 19th postseason trip in franchise history. This is the second consecutive season that the Stars have qualified for the postseason and the first time that they have achieved consecutive playoff berths since earning three straight from 2011-13.
"It's step one of what we're trying to accomplish here," head coach Rocky Russo said. "We didn't get together in August and start this journey just to make the playoffs. We want more than that. We won 35 games last year and I told the guys, 'let's set that as the next goal."
Lucas Massie stopped 21-of-23 shots to earn his third consecutive win and 11th of the season. He helped the Stars head into the first intermission up 2-0 thanks to three spectacular saves in a three-minute span. He flashed the leather and denied Sam Deckhut on a backhander with 6:24 to go in the first then denied Ryan Conmy on a breakaway 39 seconds later. Massie wrapped up the frantic finish to the first by closing the five hole to deny Dylan Godbout.
"Got off to a good start and just tried to ride that momentum," Massie said. "I think for me the biggest thing is just treating every game the same, not giving power to it being a road game. That team is super skilled and they placed their shots well. There were a couple that I had to fight off. I felt like I was being patient and when I'm like that I'm at my best."
Keaton Peters scored for the second time in the last four games with a slick backhander at the 11:01 mark of the first period. He received a pass from the near boards from Jack Pechar, cut to the net and beat netminder Croix Kochendorfer glove-side. He nearly scored with a backhander in overtime the night before but got it done on Saturday night.
"Pechar made a nice area pass to me that I was able to get a handle on," Peters said. "I was able to slip around the defender and was able to put it cross crease with the goalie coming out. Last night I had nightmares about my backhander in overtime so it was nice to get it done tonight."
The Stars doubled up their lead late in the first period after Massie's flurry of stops. Henry Nelson tossed the puck to the net from the left point and with a couple of stick in there it was Jared Mangan's which slightly changed the puck's trajectory and gave him his 12th goal of the season with 17 seconds remaining in the frame.
Klavs Veinbergs chased Kochendorfer from the game on another redirection goal. Cole Crusberg-Roseen fired a shot from the far boards and Veinbergs tipped it past Kochendorfer's left pad. That was Veinbergs' 11th goal of the season and fourth in the last six games.
Sioux City (24-24-2-3) staged a rally that began late in the second and extended into the third in their attempt to mount a three-goal comeback for a second straight game against the Stars. Tyler Hotson centered the puck from behind the net to Max Strand in front at the 16:23 mark of the second before Grant Slukynsky scored netfront on a cross-ice pass from Ryan Conmy at 1:20 of the third to make it 3-2, Stars.
Antonio Fernandez added insurance by recovering a loose puck at center ice, carrying it into the zone and then poking home a rebound by crashing the crease for his ninth goal of the season at the 8:26 mark of the third. Dashel Oliver scored for the second straight night with an empty-net goal at the 16:51 mark.
The Stars picked up three-of-four points on the weekend home-and-home set against Sioux City and won five-of-nine games in the season series. Lincoln has three home games this coming week, beginning on Wednesday morning at 11:05 against Tri-City in the STEM Game. Waterloo comes to town on Friday and Saturday for 7:05 and 6:05 p.m. games, respectively. Tickets can be purchased at lincolnstars.com
Save time, every time when you use Online Check-in for a great haircut at Great Clips - proud partner of the Lincoln Stars.
Download their app or check-in online at greatclips.com. Great Clips. It's gonna be great.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2023
- Lancers Fall in Sioux Falls; Split Weekend - Omaha Lancers
- Sasson, Canucks Make Deal - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm Completes Weekend Sweep of Force - Tri-City Storm
- Gamblers Fall in Another Shootout on Ace's Birthday - Green Bay Gamblers
- Stampede Sweep Home Weekend - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Storm Set for United Way Game - Tri-City Storm
- Former RoughRiders Player Sasson Signs with Vancouver - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Stars Beat Sioux City to Clinch Playoff Berth - Lincoln Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
