Stars Play Final Three Games Before Holiday Break
December 11, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
The Lincoln Stars play their final three games before the holiday break as they host the Sioux City Musketeers on Thursday night before a home-and-home set with the Tri-City Storm.
The Stars are looking to bounce back after suffering back-to-back losses for the second time this season last weekend in Fargo. Lincoln's three-game winning streak came to an end last Friday with a 3-2 loss before falling again, 5-3, the next night. Lefty Markonidis scored twice last Saturday for his first career USHL multi-goal game but the Stars fell to a tie with Sioux Falls for a tie of second place in the Western Conference with the loss. Fargo is one point ahead and hosts Sioux Falls twice this weekend.
The Musketeers went 1-1-1 last week in three road games by falling at Tri-City, 5-4, in overtime before defeating Omaha in overtime, 5-4, and then dropping a 6-2 game against Waterloo. Sioux City trailed 4-0 after two periods last Saturday before defeating the Lancers in overtime. They are 2-4-1-1 in the midst of a stretch with nine-of-10 games away from home and have played 13 one-goal games, which is tied with Dubuque (9-4-0-0) and Tri-City (5-5-2-1) for the most the USHL and are 4-5-1-3 in them. The Musketeers are sixth in the West, three points ahead of Des Moines and three points behind Tri-City for fifth place. Giacamo Martino is tied for first in the USHL in points (32) and has the second-most assists (19). Landen Gunderson has the third-most points (30) while leading the USHL in assists (23).
The Storm split last weekend's home games, defeating Sioux Falls, 5-4, in overtime last Friday before falling to the Stampede, 5-2, the next night. Tri-City is fifth in the Western Conference and six points out of first place. Marco Trevino was named head coach Dec. 3, replacing Mark Abalan, who led the team to a 11-10-2-1 start. Artemi Nizameyev is tied for the most points in the USHL (32) and leads the league in goals (19) and game-winning goals (6). Nolan Roed (28, fourth) and Carmelo Crandell (25, fifth) are also among the top five in the USHL in points. Roed has the fourth-most goals (14) and Crandell has the fourth-most assists (17).
Lincoln is still without Jacob Rombach and Jack Pechar, who are with the United States Junior Select Team at the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta through Dec. 15. Sioux City defenseman Drake Murray is also with the Americans while Tri-City is not missing any players. Rombach and Pechar both scored for Team USA on Monday in an 8-0 win over Canada East but the Americans fell to Sweden on Tuesday, 5-3. Team USA's next game is vs. Canada West on Thursday night at 8:30 CST.
Thursday night is the first-of-two $2 Nights this season. Hot dogs, popcorn, Busch Light tall boys and PBR tall boys are $2 each while supplies last. Friday is Teddy Bear Toss Night with a postgame ugly sweater jersey auction. Bring a teddy bear to the game and toss it on the ice after the Stars' first goal of the game. All bears will be donated to Community Action. Stick around after the game for the Stars' second postgame jersey auction of the season. Tickets for Thursday and Friday's games are available now at ?lincolnstars.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2024
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