Stars Lose 4-2 to Storm
January 29, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The Lincoln Stars (18-12-2-1) dropped Friday's game 4-2 at Comerica Center against the Tri-City Storm (28-5-1).
Christian Fitzgerald scored 3:20 into the first period, giving Tri-City an early 1-0 lead. Cameron Whitehead stopped 16 shots in the opening frame, keeping the Stars well within striking distance.
The Stars hit their stride in the second, firing 18 shots on the net. Dalton Norris evened the game at one apiece, blasting a one-timer on a 5-on-3 advantage at 2:13. Norris' 14th goal of the season was his league-leading 12th strike on the power play. Lucas Wahlin and Jo Lemay picked up the assists.
Tanner Adams gave Tri-City the lead again at 8:03, tapping a backdoor pass from Mitchell Miller into an open side.
Lincoln's resiliency was tested, but they willed their way back in it with Noah Laba's sixth goal of the season and second of the weekend. Henry Nelson took a hit along the left corner but directed the puck towards the net for Doug Grimes to backhand towards Arsenii Sergeev. Sergeev stopped the initial shot, but Laba pounded the rebound home at 16:55.
After two periods, the Stars were tied 2-2 while being outshot 32-25.
With under five minutes left in the third period, Aidan Thompson flattened Shaun McEwan at center ice with a shoulder-to-shoulder hit but was ejected for the collision. Thompson was assessed a major penalty for head contact and a game misconduct at 15:11. Carter Schade picked up a minor for slashing at the same time, sending Tri-City to a 5-on-3 advantage for two full minutes.
Ilya Nikolaev capitalized on the ensuing power play at 16:05 and Gavin Brindley added an empty-net goal in the last half-minute of regulation.
Thompson's controversial penalty overshadowed a great effort from Lincoln, despite the outcome. Whitehead made 41 saves in the loss.
The Stars were 1-for-3 on the power play and 6-for-8 on the penalty kill.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2022
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- Stampede Earn a Point in Omaha - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Hawks Rally Not Enough - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Stars Lose 4-2 to Storm - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Tie Organization Record in Win - Tri-City Storm
- Caps Down Steel 4-2 with Complete Home Victory - Madison Capitols
- Fighting Saints' Valiant Comeback Effort Falls Short in Shootout - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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