Stars Split Weekend Series with Sioux Falls
December 19, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Lincoln Stars (13-8-1-1) split their weekend series against the Sioux Falls Stampede (9-13-0-1), falling 5-2 on Saturday night at Denny Sanford Premier Center.
Following Lincoln's 7-1 victory on Friday night at the Ice Box, the flow on Saturday sputtered out of the gates. Both teams played a dump-and-chase style, failing to establish extended offensive zone time in the first 15 minutes.
Cal Thomas scored the first goal of the game at 15:11, breaking the ice for the Stampede as the home team jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Thomas' goal marked the first stoppage in over ten minutes of play.
On the next shift, Carter Schade snapped a shot from the left wing off the back bar and out for his first goal of 2021-22. Schade came into the game with six assists in his last six games. Keaton Peters and Dashel Oliver collected the assists.
Garrett Pinoniemi, the former Stars draft pick, put Sioux Falls back in front 17:22 into the first period on a power play. Reminiscent of minutes earlier, Lincoln responded, tying the game up at two. Griffin Jurecki's power-play goal came at 17:53 and was assisted by Lucas Wahlin and Jo Lemay.
After 20 minutes, the two teams were knotted up at two goals apiece with Sioux Falls outshooting Lincoln 11-10.
Sioux Falls applied the pressure in the second period, piling on the shots with 18 in the middle frame. Jack Silich was the lone goal-scorer, notching his first goal since being traded from the Stars to Sioux Falls earlier this year. Silich's goal came at 6:07.
It got dicey late in the second when the Stars were forced to kill a two-minute 5-on-3 sequence, but rookie goaltender Ben Behrens made critical stops to keep his team in it. After 40 minutes, Lincoln trailed 3-2, searching for some third-period magic.
They didn't find any in the third period as Jack Reimann doubled Sioux Falls' lead at 9:01. Thomas added his second goal of the game with an empty-net tally in the final minute of regulation.
Behrens made a whopping 35 saves, shining as one of the bright spots despite Lincoln's loss. The 17-year-old was poised and controlled, stopping numerous odd-man chances from the Stampede. Noah Grannan recorded the win for Sioux Falls, turning aside 28 shots.
Lincoln's power play was 1-for-6 and the penalty kill was 4-for-5.
The Stars will head to the holiday break to recharge their batteries in preparation for a critical weekend in late December. Lincoln will venture to Kearney to take on the Tri-City Storm on New Year's Eve and then host the Lancers on New Year's Day.
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2021
- Bucs Topped by Omaha - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Caps Fall in Weekend Finale, Head to Holiday Break - Madison Capitols
- Stars Split Weekend Series with Sioux Falls - Lincoln Stars
- Omaha Nets Five Goals in Dominant Victory over Des Moines - Omaha Lancers
- Steel Roar Back to Top Cedar Rapids 3-2 in Overtime - Chicago Steel
- Fighting Saints Enter Holiday Break Victorious - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Tri-City Comes from Behind But Falls to Sioux City - Tri-City Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
