USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Fall in Lincoln, 5-3

Published on February 28, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


LINCOLN, Neb. - The Tri-City Storm (18-28-2) took a one-goal lead into the third period, but allowed three consecutive scores in the final frame and fell 5-3 to the Lincoln Stars (17-22-7) at the Ice Box on Friday night.

Austin Poganski and Nick Hutchison each scored shorthanded goals for Tri-City in the loss, while Dan Labosky scored his sixth goal of the season.

The Stars took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a power play goal by Magnus Hoff at 9:12.

Tri-City then took another penalty, as forward Cody Milan skated to the box for high sticking. During that penalty kill, the Storm scored twice and took a 2-1 lead.

Both tallies came on breakaways. Poganski got his after winning a race to a loose puck on a face-off in his own zone, while Hutchison made Lincoln pay for a turnover while moving up ice. Stars' goalie Michael Bitzer tried to fire a pass up towards the Storm end while Tri-City was changing, but a deflection had the puck go right to Hutchison, who was in all alone.

With their new lead, Tri-City expanded their advantage when Labosky found a rebound in front to make it 3-1 at 16:11 of the opening period. Forward Kyle Eastman moved the puck up ice and into a scoring area between the circles in the Lincoln end. After an initial save by Bitzer, Labosky swept the rebound home and the Storm we up two goals 20 minutes in.

The Stars got back in the game during the second when Brandon Smith scored during a five-on-three power play advantage, cutting the Storm lead to 3-2.

Tri-City had two power play chances later in the middle period, but failed to capitalize and headed to the third while clinging to a one-goal lead.

After neither team scored in the first half of the final frame, Lincoln made their opportunities count, scoring three times to secure the win.

Dominick Sacco tied the game at 11:06 of the third, scoring off a pass from Hoff. It was Sacco's third goal in the last two meetings between the teams.

Lincoln took the lead three minutes later when Hoff scored his second of the game, and sealed the victory in the final minute on a goal by leading scorer John Simonson.

Storm netminder Jacob Johansson finished with 26 saves, while Bitzer fended off 29 shots.

Tri-City is back at home on Saturday night to face the Fargo Force at 7:05 p.m. The Storm will finish the weekend on Sunday afternoon in another tilt with Fargo, which gets underway at 3:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Joey DiBenedetto and Nolan Aibel, along with defensemen Cutler Martin, Daniel Fritz, Sean Lang and Tory Dello.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2014


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