Stars Thwarted by Pietila, Opportunistic RoughRiders
Published on October 26, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
LINCOLN, NE - On another beautiful Friday evening in Nebraska, the Stars welcomed the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders to town as both teams looked for their second-straight victory.
After sinking into a habit of slow stars in the past few weeks, the Stars came out swinging in the opening shifts of the first, firing several quality chances on RoughRiders netminder Blake Pietila. The owner of a .933 save percentage and a 1.99 GAA entering play, Pietila proved ready for the early opportunities, stopping all that 14 shots he faced in the opening period. The Stars shot themselves in the foot with two early penalties in the opening five minutes, but it proved to be just a flesh wound. Despite facing 1:20 of a two-man disadvantage, Lincoln's league-leading penalty kill didn't allow a single shot to make it to starter Tyler Johnson through either penalty.
Things would equalize at 5-on-5, as both teams exchanged explosive shifts up the ice. Johnson and Pietila traded saves until the 15:16 mark of the first period. On a shift in which the Stars couldn't clear the zone, Kyle Looft's shot from the point kicked out to the slot where Jack O'Leary buried it for the game's first tally. The 1-0 lead would hold to the first intermission.
In the second period, the Stars would again emerge with a heavy offensive presence, using 1:21 of carryover power play to help mount eight unanswered shots on goal. Pietila stopped them all. At points, the Stars were dominant, buzzing in the offensive zone but time and again they were turned away despite putting good chances on cage.
On the flip side, the RoughRiders took advantage of every opportunity despite being out-shot 32 to 18 through the first 40 minutes. Goals came from Grant Silianoff on a 3-on-2, another from Max Sasson, and one from Will Francis through a Joe Hankinson screen shorthanded to build a 4-0 lead for Cedar Rapids heading into the third. Jacob Mucitelli came on in relief in net for the Stars just prior to the period's close.
Harrison Roy kicked off a big, final 20 for the RoughRiders by scoring just 3:12 into the frame, putting his team up 5-0. The Stars would crack the scoreboard at 9:39 on a power play goal from Caleb Rule, set up by Steven Agriogianis and a crashing Phil Lapointe. Roy would answer back less than two minutes later with his second goal of the game, and fourth of the season. Another screen shot made it's way home off the stick of Cedar Rapids defenseman Evan McIntyre less than a minute later to build a 7-1 lead for the visitors.
Shane Pinto would get the last tally of the night, courtesy of a Samuli Niinisaari shot from the point, re-directed home by Pinto. At the final horn, Lincoln looked up at a lopsided defeat, but move forward with positives to build off of heading into a Saturday home contest against the Tri-City Storm. In the loss, the Stars were able to mount 47 shots on goal to Cedar Rapids 29, and snap a long power play drought on Rule's tally.
On Saturday, after their contest against the Tri-City Storm, the Stars will hold a jersey auction below the Ice Box's John Henry's Comfort Zone, where game-worn custom jerseys will be available for purchase. All proceeds will be donated to Project Pink'd, a local, non-profit organization that supports those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Visit Project Pink'd at their website, and follow their social media to learn more and help their mission. Enjoy all you can eat hockey at single games by purchasing a group of five or more, or grab one of our multi-game memberships to secure the same seat each game. Parking is completely FREE this season!
United States Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2018
- Phantoms Spook Fighting Saints - Youngstown Phantoms
- Stampede Top Sioux City for Fifth Straight Win - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Sioux City Struggles To Find Footing In Sioux Falls - Sioux City Musketeers
- Stars Thwarted by Pietila, Opportunistic RoughRiders - Lincoln Stars
- Hawks Score Shootout Success - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Phantoms Down Saints 6-3 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Preview: Storm Travel to Faceoff against Rival Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- Dubuque Raises over $10,000 for Childhood Cancer - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stars Looking for Revenge in Round Two with RoughRiders - Lincoln Stars
- RoughRiders Announce Captains for 2018-2019 Season - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
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.
