Stars Look to Stave off Elimination Tonight
Published on May 8, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Series So Far
Game 1: 1-0, Fargo. Cole Knuble scored the only goal of the game on a 5-on-3 power play with 44.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Game 2: 4-3, Lincoln. The Stars trailed 2-0 after the first period but scored three times in the second before Mason Marcellus scored the game-winner midway through the third period. Game 3: The Stars scored first but Fargo scored three consecutive goals, once in each period, before Lincoln found the back of the net again.
2023 Western Conference Finals - 7:05 p.m. vs. Fargo @ Ice Box
Marcellus Continues His Postseason Surge
Mason Marcellus's tally with a minute left in regulation was his USHL-leading fifth goal of the Clark Cup Playoffs. The Stars' captain ahs now scored in four-of-the-last-five games and he is also tied with Dubuque's Owne Michaels and teammate Boston Buckberger for the most points (8) in the postseason.
Backs Against The Wall
The Stars face elimination unless they win tonight's game. Fargo has a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series and is looking to win the Western Conference for the sixth time in franchise history and for the second time in the last three seasons. Meanwhile the Stars are looking to extend their season. Lincoln has won the game after both of its previous losses this postseason and is 14-11-1 in 2022-23 after losses.
Still Home-Ice Advantage
The Stars host a second consecutive home game tonight and look to improve on a strong record at the Ice Box. Lincoln went 20-7-2-1 at the Ice Box in the regular season and won its first two home postseason games. Lincoln never lost back-to-back games played on consecutive days at home during the regular season. In fact, Clark Cup Playoffs included, the Stars were 9-3 when playing back-to-back days at the Ice Box prior to this series.
Pechar Makes His Mark
Jack Pechar's redirection of Henry Nelson's one-timer at the 3:30 mark of the first period last night was his first goal of the postseason and his first at the Ice Box. Pechar made his USHL debut on Nov. 23 and scored his first USHL goal on Dec. 17. Last night was his fourth game of the postseason and first time playing in consecutive games.
Special Teams Silenced
After scoring on 37-percent (10-for-37) of power plays against Fargo in eight regular-season meetings Lincoln has gone 1-for-6 in this series and 2-for-its-last-13 since Game 2 of the second round. However, the Stars have stymied the Force on the man advantage, holding them to 1-for-10 in the series and 1-for-43 including the regular season.
United States Hockey League Stories from May 8, 2023
- Capitols Acquire Dakota MacIntosh in Trade with Fargo - Madison Capitols
- Broncos' Offer Beckons Bade - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Capitols Acquire Dakota MacIntosh in Trade with Fargo - Madison Capitols
- Stars Look to Stave off Elimination Tonight - Lincoln Stars
- Stars Can't Take Game 3 at Home - Lincoln Stars
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