USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Begins Postseason with 7-4 Home Win over Lancers

May 1, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


KEARNEY, NE. - The Tri-City Storm began the 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs with a three-goal win over the Omaha Lancers at the Viaero Center. Tri-City took a one-game series lead in the best-of-three Western Conference Semifinal series. Ilya Nikolaev (2), Cole O'Hara, Kieran Cebrian, Victor Czerneckianair, Mitchell Miller, and Josh Eernisse scored goals for the Storm in the victory. Tri-City will travel to the Liberty First Credit Union Arena for Game #2 of the Western Conference Semifinal matchup. Puck drop for Sunday's road game is scheduled for 4:05pm CT.

Cole O'Hara scored the Storm's opening goal of the postseason at 3:42 of Saturday's 1st period. The goal was assisted by Jeremy Wilmer. Kieran Cebrian gave Tri-City a two-goal lead less than a minute later. Vinny Borgesi and Dane Dowiak each notched an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City outshot Omaha 12-4 in the 1st period, and the team took a 2-0 lead into Saturday's 2nd period.

The first goal of the 2nd period was netted by Victor Czerneckianair at 2:39 of the period. The goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Cole O'Hara and Vinny Borgesi. Ilya Nikolaev scored his first goal of the night at 4:49 of the 2nd period to increase Tri-City's lead to four goals. Cole O'Hara and Jeremy Wilmer each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Omaha's Evan Werner scored his third goal of the postseason on the powerplay at 11:01 of the period to cut into the Storm's lead. Morgan Winters and Alex Bump each notched an assist on the play. Ilya Nikolaev scored another goal at 12:03 of the 2nd period to give the Storm its second four-goal lead of the contest. Jeremy Wilmer provided an assist on the goal. The Lancers netted the final two goals of Saturday's 2nd period to draw closer to the Storm's lead. Evan Werner's second goal of the night was scored at 12:52 of the period to bring Omaha back within three goals of Tri-City's lead. Jared Wright notched an assist on the play. Alex Bump scored a powerplay goal with under five minutes to play in Saturday's 2nd period to bring the game to a 5-3 score. Bump's goal was his second of the postseason, and was assisted by Cam Mitchell and Evan Werner. The Storm outshot the Lancers 14-12 in the 2nd period, and the 3rd period began with Tri-City leading by two goals.

Mitchell Miller scored his first postseason goal less than five minutes into Saturday's 3rd period to give the Storm another three-goal lead in the game. Miller's goal was assisted by Ilya Nikolaev and Arsenii Sergeev. Evan Werner scored his third goal of the game, and fifth goal of the postseason, at 11:29 of the period to bring the Lancers back within two goals of the Storm's lead. The final goal of the rivalry matchup was scored into an empty net by Josh Eernisse with less than one minute to play in the game. Kieran Cebrian notched an assist on the play. Tri-City outshot Omaha 15-7 in the 3rd period, and 41-23 overall in the matchup.

Arsenii Sergeev notched the win in goal for Tri-City after making 19 saves on 23 Omaha shots. Kevin Pasche recorded the loss in net for Omaha after making 34 saves on 40 shots in the matchup. Ilya Nikolaev was named the 1st Star of the Game, with Jeremy Wilmer and Omaha's Evan Werner recording 2nd and 3rd Star honors respectively.

For the latest information regarding the Tri-City Storm, skate to www.StormHockey.com. #StormAhead

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