USHL Tri-City Storm

Storm Lead For Playoff Berth Slips To One Point

Published on March 24, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Despite a flurry of scoring chances in the final minute in the game, the Tri-City Storm (26-24-6, 58 pts) could not get a game-tying shot past goalie Matt Skoff, who led the Sioux City Musketeers (24-23-9, 57 pts) to victory on Tuesday night, 2-1. The Musketeers move to within one point of fourth place-Tri-City in the West Division.

Sioux City's Andrew Sinelli opened the scoring 8:00 into the first period on a Storm neutral-zone miscue that put the Musketeers in front 1-0.

The Storm didn't take long to get the goal back, as Sioux City's Kevin Gravel turned the puck over in his defensive-zone to Cody Murphy. Murphy would snap the shot past Skoff from the right-circle and score his ninth goal of the season at the 12:54 mark into the first period.

Storm goalie Carsen Chubak was outstanding in the first period, making 14 saves on 15 shots in opening period, which included six saves on the Storm's penalty kill late in the period.

The Musketeers would score the game-winning goal in the second period at the 9:22 mark, as Stephan Vigier scored his 24th goal of the season to give Sioux City the 2-1 advantage.

Tri-City got their only power play late in the game and generated several scoring chances in the final minute, but Skoff made every save on the last minute effort by the Storm.

Chubak (19-18-6) made 32 saves on 34 shots in the loss for the Storm. Skoff (18-18-9) made 26 saves on 27 shots in the win for Sioux City.

Tri-City on the power play was 0-for-1, while the Musketeers were 0-for-3 with the man-advantage.

The Musketeers won the regular-season series against the Storm, 3-2. Tri-City was 2-2-1 against Sioux City this season and won the previous two meetings against the clubs.

The Storm will travel to Omaha on Friday night to play the Lancers and are in Lincoln on Saturday night to battle the Stars for the final time this season.

Notes: The Storm were without Matt Johnson, who was serving his one-game suspension from February 12th against Lincoln... Storm forward Jaden Schwartz was held pointless for the 13th time this season and for the third consecutive game... Tri-City has lost four consecutive games, which is the second longest-losing streak this season... If the Storm win the final four regular-season games, they will automatically clinch the final playoff berth... The magic number is still eight points (points gained by the Storm or lost by Sioux City)

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2010


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