Stars Host Musketeers for Fourth Meeting of Season
Published on January 22, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Lincoln, Neb. - The Lincoln Stars (19-16-1) are set to host the Sioux City Musketeers (17-15-1) on Friday, Jan. 22 at the Ice Box. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.
The game will mark the third meeting between the Stars and the Musketeers in January. Sioux City leads the season series 1-2-0, outscoring the Stars 10-4 in those games.
The Stars are on a seven-game losing slide, looking for their first win of the New Year. Ludvig Hoff leads the Stars with 33 points while Patrik Virtanen has a 2.50 GAA and .919 save percentage.
The Musketeers have won three of their last five games and are led by Eeli Tolvanen who has 14 goals and 17 assists. Cam Gornet leads Sioux City in net with a 2.61 GAA and .914 save percentage.
Last Game
Jan. 16 vs. Fargo - (1-0 L)
Shane McMahan scored the lone goal of the night as the Stars fell despite outshooting the Force, 30-27. Patrik Virtanen turned aside 26 shots in his seventh start in 10 games.
Stars Lately - The Stars are first in the Western Conference with 39 points, but are on a seven-game losing slide and without a win since December. Lincoln has been outscored 23-8 during its slide. The last time the Stars lost seven straight games was during a stretch from Oct. 26, 2013 to Nov. 15, 2013.
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Video: FASTHockey | Live Stats: USHL.com
Scouting Sioux City - The Musketeers have won three of their last five games, sitting fifth in the Western Conference with 35 points. Eeli Tolvanen leads Sioux City with 14 goals and 17 assists.
Stars vs. Musketeers - The Stars are 1-2-0 against the Musketeers this season, getting outscored 10-4 in those games. The teams are set to meet twice more this season on Feb. 6 in Lincoln and on Feb. 20 at Sioux City.
Set Schedule - The Stars will play only Fridays and Saturdays until the end of the regular season. They'll play twice at home in February, three times at home in March and four times in April.
Future Teammates
-LIN Christian Evers, SC Jackson Keane - University of North Dakota
-LIN Joachim Weberg, SC Michael Boyle - University of Denver
Patrik Virt-Again - Patrik Virtanen has started in seven of the last 10 games. He has a team-leading 11 wins, 2.50 GAA and .919 save percentage.
NHL CSS Rankings - Peyton Jones and affiliates Carter Long, Adam Karashik and Tommy Nappier were listed on the NHL CSS midterm rankings released in mid-January.
Pack the Box - The Stars have the second-best attendance in the USHL, averaging 3,362 fans per game. Sioux Falls leads the league, averaging more than 6,000 fans.
Gillespie Returns - Mike Gillespie has rejoined the Stars after playing eight games for the Ohio State Buckeyes. The forward posted 34 points in 59 games for the Stars last season, taking a share of the team lead. He will wear No. 18.
Games Aplenty - The Stars played 10 games between Dec. 27 and January 16. Lincoln leads the league with 37 games played.
Mr. 200 - Patrick Polino played his 200th USHL game on Friday, Jan. 8. Polino played for the Chicago Steel and Green Bay Gamblers prior to coming to Lincoln. The fourth-year forward is committed to play at RPI next season.
Top Prospects - Ludvig Hoff, Grant Jozefek, Christian Evers and Peyton Jones participated in the 2016 USHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Omaha, Nebraska on Jan. 12. Chris Hartsburg coached Team West and Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager Corey Courtney joined the support staff.
Lerario Commits - Biagio Lerario committed to play college hockey at Northeastern University on Jan. 7. He'll join teammate Grant Jozefek and three former Stars with the Huskies.
Wild Bunch - The Stars average 18.9 penalty minutes per game, most in the USHL. Biagio Lerario leads the Stars with 91.
Tickets, Tickets - Single game tickets, four game mini packs and group tickets are available by logging on to lincolnstars.com or by calling 402-474-7827.
20th Anniversary Season - The Stars are celebrating their 20th Anniversary Season this year. The team played its first season in 1996-1997.
Oh Captain, My Captain - Biagio Lerario was named team captain for the 2015-2016 season. Ludvig Hoff, Patrick Polino and Dylan Woolf were named assistants. The Stars eight-man leadership group includes those four players along with Adam Brady, Sam Kauppila, Ryan Jones and Christian Evers.
Loose Pucks
-The Stars have 18 NCAA committed players
-ECAC (8), NCHC (5), WCHA (1), Hockey East (2), Big Ten (2)
United States Hockey League Stories from January 22, 2016
- Force Win Big in Front of Sellout Crowd - Fargo Force
- Moore's Late Goal Caps Phantoms' Comeback - Youngstown Phantoms
- All Fargo on Friday - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm Cash in Quickly, Beat Fighting Saints - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm's late-period goals sink Fighting Saints, 4-1 - Tri-City Storm
- Buccaneers lose to Lancers - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Late Goals Cost Thunder Fifth Straight - Bloomington Thunder
- Stars Blast Musketeers, 7-1 - Lincoln Stars
- Cedar Rapids Holds on to 3-2 Win over Muskegon - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Alger's Big Night Lifts Lancers over Bucs, 5-1 - Omaha Lancers
- Gamblers Start Weekend with 2-1 Win - Green Bay Gamblers
- Stampede Can't Rally Past Green Bay - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stevens & McElhenie Pace Caps' Romp of Team USA - Madison Capitols
- Capitols Wind Down Homestead against Team USA U17's - Madison Capitols
- Pecararo Picks Huskies Program - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Gamblers Announce Participating Teachers for Dash for Cash - Green Bay Gamblers
- Thunder Host Phantoms in Bloomington - Bloomington Thunder
- Stars Host Musketeers for Fourth Meeting of Season - Lincoln Stars
- Musketeers in Lincoln Tonight - Sioux City Musketeers
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