Stars Top the Lancers at the Ice Box
Published on February 3, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
LINCOLN, NE. - The Lancers took on the Lincoln Stars on the road for the second time this season. And with the season series being tied at two, Omaha was looking to come out on top as the Stars took the last two contests.
The last time the Lancers set foot in the Ice Box, they trailed 5-0 until the 19:59 mark of the second period. They then went on the score three more unanswered goals in the third, but fell short, losing 5-4. As they will look to start tonight's game with that third period intensity.
The first period consisted of a high shot count for both teams. Lincoln gathering 16, Omaha with 12. But despite a solid display of goaltending, the Stars tacked on the first two goals of the matchup.
Justin Mexico slammed in a one-timer off a feed from Martin Masa seven minutes in to make it a one goal game, followed by a power-play goal by Jack Pechar how picked up a fortunate bounce for the Stars and tallied his 13th goal of the season.
The Lancers knocked on the door a few times down in the Lincoln zone, but Lucas Massie turned aside all 12 shots he faced that period. Taking his team into the break with a two goal lead.
It was a hot start for Omaha to kick off the second period as they netted two goals in the first four minutes.
Drew DellaSalla netted his seventh goal of the year with the long assist to Christian Kocsis just 57 seconds in. Which was immediately followed up on their next shift with DellaSalla finding Kocsis for a one-timer, locking the game at two goals apiece.
Within the remaining 16 minutes of the period, the Stars regained their two-goal lead with Adam Kleber scoring form the blue line through a swarm of bodies, and Kai Janviriya scoring a buzzer beater at the end of the period off a face-off. Making it a 4-2 Lincoln lead through two periods.
The Stars tacked on three more goals in the third period. Juan Copeland tapped in a bouncing puck, followed by Matt Maltais netting back-to-back goals to take a five-goal lead, making it 7-2 Lincoln.
Will Elger showed life for Omaha late in the contest, netting a shot from the slot for his seventh goal of the season. Jamison Sluys and Trey Scott aided the play as Scott picked up his fifth point in the last three games.
The Lancers picked up one more solid scoring opportunity but ended up falling 7-3.
The Stars out shot Omaha 44-28 on the night and take the 3-2 lead in the season-long series between the two.
The Lancers complete their three-game road trip tomorrow (2/4) as they have a 3:05PM CST showdown with the Tri-City Storm at the Viaero Center. That game can be streamed on FloSports and Mixlr.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024
- Stars Top the Lancers at the Ice Box - Omaha Lancers
- Jacks Come All the Way Back to Beat Chicago 5-3 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stars Score Seven Goals for Third Time in 2023-24 - Lincoln Stars
- Mustard Phenomenal in Key Win - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Capitols Fall in Green Bay 5-2, Skid Moves to Three Games - Madison Capitols
- Storm Falls in Overtime to Buccaneers - Tri-City Storm
- Stampede Struggles In Game Two Against Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Projected Lineup vs. Green Bay I - Madison Capitols
- Storm Set to Host Buccaneers at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm
- Storm Set to Host Buccaneers at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm
- Gameday Preview - Lincoln Stars
- Taking a Look Back at Friday Night's Action in the USHL - USHL
- Lancers Drop the First Matchup of the Three-Game Weekend - Omaha Lancers
- Noah Powell Shines in Saints' Overtime Win - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Phantoms Grab Physical 6-1 Win Over Roughriders - Youngstown Phantoms
- Steel Secure Point with Three Third Period Goals - Chicago Steel
- Hilman Powers Hawks' Win - Waterloo Black Hawks
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