USHL Lincoln Stars

Stars Prevail in Shootout to Sweep Weekend Tripleheader

January 1, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release


The Lincoln Stars wrapped up 2023 with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Tri-City Storm on Sunday night at the Viareo Center.

Keaton Peters scored the lone goal in regulation, Ryan Spinale scored the only goal of the shootout and Yan Shostak stopped 30 shots in regulation along with all three in the shootout.

Sunday's victory marked Lincoln's (11-16-0-2) third consecutive, all of which were collected in as many games this weekend. The Stars capped December with a 7-3 mark and moved two points back of Des Moines for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

"We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend in regard to the ability to fight through adversity and just trust each other," head coach Rocky Russo said. "Obviously we didn't get it done in regulation like we were hoping to do but we had some chances in overtime, we had to kill a penalty and we were able to do that."

After Ryan Smith netted a power-play goal for the only tally of the first period Peters responded with a backhander that goaltender Cameron Korpi appeared to initially stop, but as he drifted backwards the puck rolled with him and over the line.

Shostak made several tremendous stops down the stretch including an improbable one late in overtime. Trevor Connelly one-timed a cross-ice feed into a seemingly wide open right side of the cage the puck clipped Jack Pechar's stick to change course. It still appeared headed toward the net but a sprawled out Shostak extended his blocker hand to push it wide of the far post.

"I can't say enough about the goalie," Russo said. "What a weekend for Yan. He was there for us when we needed him and he was able to make some big saves."

Spinale opened the shootout with the only goal of it, scoring over the left blocker of Korpi as he was extended too far to the near post.

The Stars return home to face the Waterloo Black Hawks on Friday and Saturday at the Ice Box. Tickets can be purchased now at lincolnstars.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 1, 2024


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