Stars Streak Ends in Sioux City
April 2, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The Lincoln Stars (32-17-2-3) saw their six-game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Sioux City Musketeers (34-14-4-1), losing 7-4 on Friday night at Tyson Events Center.
Noah Laba extended his goal-scoring streak to four games with his 13th of the year 4:28 into the game. After a video game-like performance from the shorthanded group last weekend, the PKers were at it again as Mason Marcellus took a puck away in the defensive zone and sprung Laba for an odd-man rush through center ice. Laba returned the pass for Marcellus over the blue line, but Mason sent it back to Laba on the backhand, beating Musketeers goaltender Alex a Tracy.
Dylan James tied the game under two minutes later for the Muskies, but Lincoln regained the lead off Lucas Wahlin's 25th goal of the season at 8:09. Wahlin's goal came on the power play, extending his personal goal streak to seven games. He's the first player in the USHL this season to reach that feat. Gleb Veremyev and Carter Schade were given the assists.
Dalton Norris doubled Lincoln's lead at 10:19 in the midst of their five-minute major power play. Owen Fowler was ejected from the game moments earlier for a hit to the head of Schade.
The Stars captain made the Musketeers pay, finishing off a phenomenal seam pass from Aidan Thompson for his 17th power-play goal of the season.
Thompson's assist marked the 50th of the season for him, joining an exclusive club in Lincoln. Only Chris Fournier, Dan Riedel and Kevin Roy have posted seasons with 50 or more assists in Stars franchise history.
That's not all. Norris' PPG tied Josh Langfeld (1996-97) for the most in a single season in franchise history. Jo Lemay received the secondary apple on the Oxford, MI native's 22nd goal of the year.
Norris wouldn't be tied with Langfeld for very long, burying another goal on the man-advantage 85 seconds later, giving the Stars a 4-1 lead. His franchise-leading 18th power-play goal of 2021-22 was assisted by Killian Kiecker-Olson and Luke Johnson.
However, the Musketeers fought back as Ben Steeves scored a shorthanded goal 30 seconds later. Ben Doran added an even-strength marker, cutting Lincoln's lead to 4-3.
After 20 minutes, the Stars outshot Sioux City 11-8.
James would add his second goal of the game 1:03 into the second period on Sioux City 5-on-4, but that was the only tally either team could muster in the middle frame.
After James' goal, Kaidan Mbereko entered the game in place of Cameron Whitehead, who made five saves. Alex Tracy was yanked in favor of Kristoffer Eberly in the first period (four goals allowed on eight shots).
The Musketeers grabbed the lead in the third period with James' hat-trick goal 11:53 into the final frame. James recorded his fourth goal of the game at 16:12, putting the game away for Sioux City. Damian Carfagna scored an empty-net goal, wrapping up the Musketeers' seventh straight win.
Lincoln trails Sioux City by four points in the Western Conference standings but still holds onto the third seed. Mbereko made 12 saves in relief while Eberly stopped all 16 shots he faced.
Lincoln's power play was 3-for-8 and their penalty kill was 5-for-6.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2022
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- Stars Streak Ends in Sioux City - Lincoln Stars
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