Storm's Newest Players Have Strong Starts
Published on November 2, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release
Tri-City Storm vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
(Tri-City Storm)
The Tri-City Storm begins a four-game road trip against the division-leading Lincoln Stars Friday, ending a stretch of six of eight games at the Viaero Center.
The Storm's repressive defense allows the fewest shots a game (25.8) in the USHL and has not allowed a goal on the penalty kill at home (24-for-24).
Tri-City earned a point against Waterloo Thursday, going to overtime.
Last Week:
Thursday, October 29 vs. Waterloo: Loss, 3-2 (OT) Saturday, October 30 at Sioux City: Loss, 4-1
Need to Know:
New faces, strong starts Joe Cipollone, Johnny McDermott and Colin Rutherford each picked up their first points of the season with the Storm over the last two games against Waterloo. All three have made their Tri-City debuts in the last two weeks.
Cipollone, brought in from the BCHL's Vernon Vipers Oct. 22, scored his first goal Thursday against the Black Hawks, receiving a pass from another newcomer, McDermott. Both players earned their first points with the Storm on the goal.
Friday against Waterloo, Rutherford scored his first USHL goal two days after being acquired from Cedar Rapids.
Two other Storm forwards, Aaron O'Neill and Ben Taylor, have also made their Storm debuts over the last two weeks.
Taylor and McDermott are both affiliate players with the Storm.
Sturm shining Forward Nico Sturm has collected points in four straight games, tied for the longest stretch for a Storm player this season.
The 6-foot-3, 190-lb. forward has one goal and four assists over the last four, the most Storm helpers over the last two weekends.
The production by the native of Augsberg, Germany has bolstered his points total to seven this season; tied for third on the Storm with Jake Wahlin and John Marino.
Sturm has also become a reality show star for the Storm since the season began.
No disadvantage The Storm penalty kill went seven-for-seven in its two-game set Thursday and Friday against Waterloo, pushing Tri-City to a perfect 24-for-24 at home on the man down.
Tri-City and Waterloo are the only two clubs to have a perfect penalty kill at home. The penalty kill is tied with Omaha for second in the league (90.5%), denying opponents on 38 of 42 chances.
Tri-City has not allowed more than four opponent power-play chances in any of its seven home games.
Since allowing a trio of power-play tallies to Chicago on Oct. 2, the Storm kill has gone 30-for-31.
Other News and Notes
- Mattias Goransson scored his third goal of the season Thursday and ranks second in the league in goals (3) by a defenseman. His eight points rank fourth by a USHL blue liner.
- Goalie Jake Kielly sits second in the league with a 1.84 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Game Recaps:
Game 10 vs Waterloo: Storm forces overtime, falls, 3-2
The Tri-City Storm picked up a point, dropping in overtime, 3-2, to the Waterloo Black Hawks Thursday at the Viaero Center.
Sam Rossini had the overtime winner 45 seconds into the extra frame, completing a three-goal comeback by Waterloo and snapping a five-game losing streak for the Hawks.
Matt Greenfield made 24 saves. Cale Morris made 39 saves on 41 shots.
Mattias Goransson notched his third goal, while Joe Cipollone had his first USHL tally.
Game 11 vs. Waterloo: Storm gives up first four goals and drops, 4-1
The Waterloo Black Hawks scored the first four goals of the game - three in a stretch of 3:03 in the second - to best the Storm in regulation, 4-1.
Collin Rutherford scored his first USHL goal with 37.5 seconds left in the second to cut the lead to 4-1.
For the second straight night, Cale Morris consistently turned away Storm chances, denying 22 of 23 stops. Morris made 61 saves on 64 shots over the two games.
The Storm defense limited the Black Hawks to 24 shots; Matt Greenfield made 20 saves.
Images from this story
 Tri-City Storm Skate against Waterloo |
 Tri-City Storm vs. Waterloo Black Hawks |
United States Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2015
- Free Tix for Vets, Military Members for Military Night - Sioux City Musketeers
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Defeats Canada, 7-5 - U.S. National Team
- Lohin Named Third Captain in Capitols History - Madison Capitols
- Cam Morrison Named USHL Forward of the Week - Youngstown Phantoms
- Hoff Commits to University of North Dakota - Lincoln Stars
- Newhouse Named Star Defenseman - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Storm's Newest Players Have Strong Starts - Tri-City Storm
- Stars Affiliate Dornbach Commits to UNO - Lincoln Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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