Stars Defeat Waterloo in Game 3, Win Series
April 30, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The Lincoln Stars beat the Waterloo Black Hawks, 3-1, in the deciding Game 3 of the two teams' second-round matchup on Sunday afternoon at Young Arena.
The Stars advance to face the Fargo Force in the Western Conference Finals. The winner of the best-of-five series advances to the 2023 Clark Cup Final. Lincoln won five-of-eight matchups in the regular season.
Mason Marcellus and Jack Larrigan both recorded two points with a goal and an assist apiece and Daniel Sambuco sealed the game with an empty-net goal against his former team.
"They fought for our culture," head coach Rocky Russo said. "I've fought teams that don't fight for their culture. When you hit adversity that culture starts to waver but they fought to make sure it was a priority. Whenever you have a team that it is willing to do that, whenever you have a group that loves being around each other, that's something special. That overcomes any shortcomings that you might have. This group wasn't ready to be done today. We're ready to go. We know we are going into a tough situation but we knew that when we went up there last that we had to win those games to leave that impression in their brain. We're confident in that building but we also respect them. They're very well coached and they'll be very well prepared."
Lincoln was dealt a blow before the game when alternate captain Doug Grimes was suspended for one game due for head contact on a hit he delivered in Game 2 the night before. Waterloo captain Garrett Schifsky was also suspended for the game due to a boarding penalty from Saturday.
The Stars' captain was active and he delivered. He forced a turnover to create a three-on-one rush to set up Larrigan for the first goal of the game at the 11:42 mark of the first. Marcellus scored the game-winning goal at the 2:34 mark of the third after Larrigan slipped up along the boards but stuck with the play to advance the puck up the wall to Marcellus, who made no mistake on his wrist shot shortly afterwards.
"My linemates made it so easy," Marcellus said. "(Larrigan) had a great shot on the first one. (Tyler Dunbar) forced the guy in and drove the defense back which created a seam for us. (Larrigan) was working his (butt) off on the second one and kept the puck in. I was able to roll around, (Klavs Veinbergs) had a screen and we scored."
The Black Hawks tied the game up with the only goal of the second period on a wrist shot by Ben Robertson inside the far circle at the 6:14 mark. Sambuco hopped off the bench and his block of a pass moved the puck into the neutral zone and left him all alone the other way.
This is the first time that the Stars have advanced to the Conference Finals since 2012 and the 11th time in franchise history. Game 1 is Friday night at 7:05 at Scheels Arena. Game 2 follows up the next time at the same time and location. The series shifts to the Ice Box for Game 3 at 5:05 on May 7. If necessary then Game 4 will be at 7:05 on May 8 at the Ice Box and Game 5 will be at 7:05 on May 11 at Scheels Arena. Tickets for Game 3 and 4 can be purchased here.
"We're not going to change anything," Larrigan said. "We're just going to keep going, keep sticking to our process and our culture and we'll get the job done."
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 30, 2023
- Steel Advance to Conference Final - Chicago Steel
- 2023 Clark Cup Conference Championships Set - USHL
- Thank You, RiderTown - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Stars Defeat Waterloo in Game 3, Win Series - Lincoln Stars
- Stars Win Game Three, Series - Waterloo Black Hawks
- USHL Preps for 2023 League Drafts - USHL
- The Aftermath: Storm's Season Ends in Overtime Loss - Tri-City Storm
- Stars Fall to Black Hawks, Game 3 Is Sunday - Lincoln Stars
- Same Margin, Different Winner - Waterloo Black Hawks
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