Stars Lose Shootout in Des Moines
February 19, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
URDANDALE, Iowa - The Lincoln Stars (21-13-2-3) dropped a shootout to start their three-game road trip, falling to the Des Moines Buccaneers 4-3 on Friday night at Buccaneer Arena (13-22-3-1).
Patrick Raftery scored his second goal of the season 14:46 into the first period, giving the Stars a 1-0 lead. Brayden Stannard recorded his first point with the Stars since being acquired from the Sioux Falls Stampede after picking up the primary assist. Jo Lemay secured the secondary helper. It was Raftery's second goal at Buccaneer Arena this season after he scored his first USHL goal on January 15th in Des Moines.
Gleb Veremyev added to Lincoln's lead with a deflection on the power play at 17:33. Antonio Fernandez and Carter Schade were given points after working the cycle in the offensive zone. Veremyev got a piece of Schade's shot from the right point, eluding goaltender Remington Koepple. The Colorado College commit picked up goal No. 10 on the year.
After 20 minutes, the Stars were in control, up 2-0 and outshooting the Bucs 11-10. Kaidan Mbereko kept the Bucs at bay, stopping all ten shots that came his way.
The Buccaneers punched back in the second period as Maxim Musorov and Dovar Tinling scored twelve minutes apart. Heading to the third period, the game was tied 2-2.
Scout Truman scored a 4-on-4 goal at 8:47 after a crucial Stars 5-on-3 penalty kill, giving Des Moines their first lead of the game. Veremyev would add his second of the night after a fantastic give-and-go with Noah Laba.
Veremyev had Laba at the left circle on a 2-on-1 and Laba sent the pass back over to him for an easy finish. The Colorado College commit's 11th goal of the year came at 10:58. With the assist, Laba extended his point streak to eight games.
Neither team was able to break the tie in the rest of regulation or the ensuing overtime, so a shootout was necessary. Killian Kiecker-Olson scored the lone goal for Des Moines while the Stars came up empty on three tries. Lincoln was outshot 33-28 on Friday night.
The Stars power-play was 1-for-3; they went 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.
Mbereko made 30 saves, extending his personal streak to 4-0-1-1 in his last six starts. The Stars will seek revenge Saturday night in Des Moines. Puck drop at Buccaneer Arena is set for 6:05 p.m.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2022
- Phantoms Fall Flat in 4-2 Loss to Lumberjacks - Youngstown Phantoms
- Sioux Falls Snaps Omaha's Three Game Win Streak - Omaha Lancers
- Jacks Score Four Unanswered, Split Weekend Series with 4-2 Win over Youngstown - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stars Lose Shootout in Des Moines - Lincoln Stars
- Phantoms Come out on Top in Back-And-Forth Battle with Muskegon - Youngstown Phantoms
- 3rd Period Rally Falls Short as Chicago Knocks off Caps 3-2 - Madison Capitols
- Lancers Take Down #1 Ranked Tri-City on the Road - Omaha Lancers
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