USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Falls in Overtime to Buccaneers

Published on February 3, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


KEARNEY, NE. - The Tri-City Storm dropped an overtime decision Saturday night at the Viaero Center to the Des Moines Buccaneers by a final score of 4-3. Trevor Connelly (16), Cam Briere (13), and Jake Rozzi (9) netted goals for Tri-City in the loss. The Storm returns to action Sunday in a rivalry matchup against the Omaha Lancers at the Viaero Center. The game will serve as Tri-City's annual Scout Night Game. The Storm will wear specialty sweaters during the battle that will be auctioned off following the matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:05pm CT.

Adam Zlnka netted his sixth goal of the year at 7:11 of Saturday's opening period to give the visiting Buccaneers a one-goal advantage in the matchup. Jack Kernan and Paul Minnehan each collected an assist on the game's first scoring play. Des Moines grabbed a two-goal lead in the contest at 9:31 of the 1st period on a goal scored by Liam Watkins. Ben Kevan and Luke Margenau each recorded an assist on the scoring play. After falling behind by two goals, the Storm answered back with Trevor Connelly's team-leading sixteenth goal of the regular season at 13:52 of the 1st period. Owen Beckner collected the lone assist of the scoring play. Des Moines outshot Tri-City 11-9 during Saturday's 1st period, and the Buccaneers carried a one-goal advantage into the 2nd period.

Braedon Ford scored his eleventh goal of the season at 13:45 of Saturday's middle period to give the Buccaneers' another two-goal advantage in the matchup. Ashton Dahms and Aiden VanRooyan each collected an assist on the scoring play. Cam Briere netted his thirteenth goal of the regular season with under half a minute to play in the 2nd period to cut the Storm's deficit in the matchup down to a single goal. Briere's goal was assisted by Jake Rozzi and Vladislav Lukashevich. Tri-City outshot Des Moines by a 16-8 margin during the middle period, but the Storm trailed by a 3-2 score entering Saturday's 3rd period.

Jake Rozzi netted the lone goal of the 3rd period to force an overtime finish. Rozzi's scoring play was his ninth of the year, and was recorded at 12:16 of the period. Cam Briere and Ryan Smith each notched an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City outshot Des Moines by an 11-7 margin during the 3rd period, and overtime began with the game tied at 3-3.

Following four shots on goal during the first three minutes of the overtime period by the Storm, the Buccaneers responded with the game-winning goal on the team's only shot of the extra period. The goal was netted on a breakaway down the ice by Adam Zlnka. Zlnka opened the scoring at 7:11 of the 1st period with his sixth goal of the season, and his second goal of the game, and seventh scoring play of the season, ended the game at 3:04 of the overtime period. Tri-City's overtime record dropped to 2-4-4 in the 4-3 loss Saturday night at the Viaero Center. The Storm fell to 17-13-4-4 overall on the 2023-2024 regular season following the result.

Thatcher Bernstein made his debut for the Storm in goal during Saturday night's game, and recorded the overtime loss in net after making 23 saves on 27 shots in just over sixty-three minutes of game time. Ethan Dahlmeir collected the win in net for the Buccaneers in a 37-save-on-40-shot performance. Tri-City fell to 1-1-1-0 in head-to-head matchups against Des Moines in the overtime loss.

The Storm hits the ice again on Sunday, February 4th, in a home game against the Omaha Lancers. Puck drop for the matchup is scheduled for 3:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024


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