Stars Look to Respond against Lancers
January 9, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Lincoln, Neb. - The Lincoln Stars (19-14-0) travel to take on the Omaha Lancers (15-13-2) for the second part of a home-and-home series on Saturday, Jan. 9. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. at Ralston Arena.
On Friday, the Lancers ended their five-game losing slide with a 3-2 win against the Stars in the Ice Box. The Stars lead the season series 3-2-0 and are 1-1-0 in Omaha this season.
Ludvig Hoff leads the Stars with 32 points. Josh French leads the Lancers with 20 points.
Last Game
Jan. 8 vs. Omaha - (3-2 L)
The Lancers used a two-goal second period to defeat the Stars for the first time in the Ice Box this season. Mike Gillespie and Dominick Mersch scored for the Stars. Patrik Virtanen finished with 34 saves.
Stars Lately - The Stars are first in the Western Conference with 38 points and have gone 4-6-0 in their last 10 games. The Stars are 9-8-0 on the road this season. Ludvig Hoff leads the team with 32 points.
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Scouting Omaha - The Lancers are fourth in the Western Conference with 32 points. They broke a five-game losing slide with Friday's 3-2 win against the Stars. Josh French leads the team with 20 points.
Mr. 200 - Patrick Polino played his 200th USHL game on Friday, Jan. 8 against the Omaha Lancers. Polino played for the Chicago Steel and Green Bay Gamblers prior to coming to Lincoln. The fourth-year forward has posted 53 points in 91 games for the Stars and is committed to play at RPI next season.
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.
Stars vs. Lancers - The Stars are 3-2-0 against the Lancers this season, going 1-1-0 in Ralston Arena. The teams will meet a total of three times in January.
Future Teammates
-LIN Ryan Jones, OMA Kris Oldham - University of Nebraska Omaha
-LIN Jack Badini, OMA Nathan Krusko, OMA Mitch Perrault - Harvard University
-LIN Luke Jaycox, OMA Keegan Ward - Northern Michigan
Killer Hoff - Ludvig Hoff leads the Stars with two goals and seven assists against the Lancers this season.
Top Prospects - Ludvig Hoff, Grant Jozefek, Christian Evers and Peyton Jones were named to the 2016 USHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Omaha, Nebraska on Jan. 12. USHL and NHL personnel collaborated to pick the 40-man roster to be divided between a Team East and Team West.
Top Staff - Stars coach Chris Hartsburg was selected to coach Team West at the USHL/NHL Top Prospects game. Stars Trainer and Equipment Manager Corey Courtney will join 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 17.9 penalty minutes per game, highest in the USHL. Biagio Lerario has the third-most penalty minutes in the league with 91.
International Results - Jozefek helped Team USA take third place in the World Junior A Challenge with three goals and two assists in five games. Ludvig Hoff finished with three goals in five games for Team Norway at the Division 1A World Junior Championship.
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)
-Biagio Lerario is serving a six game suspension and will not be active until Jan. 15 at Tri-City
United States Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2016
- Force Spoil Steel Comeback With Overtime Win - Chicago Steel
- Makitalo's OT Tally Ends Thriller in Saints Win - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Buccaneers walk away with victory - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Gamblers Pick up a Point in Dubuque - Green Bay Gamblers
- Stampede Can't Stop Buccaneers in Des Moines - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Furious Storm Comeback Forces OT, Hawks Win, 4-3 - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers Rally, Defeat Lincoln 3-2 in Overtime - Omaha Lancers
- Caps' Early Burst Foiled by DeAugustine & Phantoms - Madison Capitols
- Lancers Take Overtime Win, 3-2 - Lincoln Stars
- Lambdin, Baker Take Home Hat Tricks - Bloomington Thunder
- Lumberjacks Split Weekend Series with Bloomington - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Caps Honor Suter & Host Phantoms on be the Miracle Night - Madison Capitols
- Stars Look to Respond against Lancers - Lincoln Stars
- Meike Traded to Waterloo - Sioux City Musketeers
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