USHL Omaha Lancers

Tait Leads The Charge As Lancers Topple Phantoms, 5-3

Published on March 7, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release


RALSTON, NE - With a sold-out crowd of 3,706 on hand at Ralston Arena on Friday, the team's 13th sellout of the year, the Omaha Lancers defeated the Youngstown Phantoms by a final score of 5-2 in the first meeting between the two teams this season. With the win, the Lancers improved to 35-11-5 overall this season and with 75 points, remain alone in second place in the Western Conference and overall USHL standings, one point shy of the first place Waterloo Black Hawks.

After a bruising opening sequence for both sides, the Lancers grabbed a 1-0 lead at 8:04 of the first frame as future Providence College Friar Ryan Tait stuck home his 12th goal of the season thanks to terrific feeds from Brian Williams and Anthony Angello. Then, an even strength coast-to-coast lug by Steven Johnson made it 2-0 at 14:30 courtesy of a great setup from Tucker Poolman and a deft, top-shelf finish. As if that weren't enough first period offense for Omaha, Johnson let fly a center-point, power-play howitzer at 17:19 to make it 3-0 Lancers with Tait and Gage Hough collecting assists on the play.

The Phantoms came out of the gate fiercely in the middle stanza, pumping home back-to-back tallies in less than one minute, from Alfred Larsson at 1:09 and Zach Evancho at 1:31 respectively, to draw within a goal at 3-2. An Omaha response was quick in coming, however, as Tait buried his second of the game at 6:47 on feeds from Niklas Folin and Jimmy Schuldt to nudge the Lancer lead to 4-2 before a Zach Jordan empty-netter, set up by Jake Henderson, iced things for Omaha with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

Next up for the Lancers, it's a Saturday rematch with the Phantoms at 7:05 pm at Ralston Arena on "Fan Appreciation Night" featuring $1 suds and dogs and a free team photo to the first 2,000 fans, courtesy of ConAgra Foods. Full coverage of Saturday's game begins with the "Valpak Pregame Show" at 6:50 pm on the Lancers' flagship station, "The Mighty" 1290 KOIL with Lancers broadcaster Tony Brown providing the play-by-play.

In 2013-14, the five-time Anderson Cup and seven-time Clark Cup Champion Omaha Lancers drop the puck on their 28th season in the USHL. Season ticket packages for the Lancers' second campaign at the state-of-the-art Ralston Arena are available now starting at just $12.50 per game! To reserve your seats, contact the Lancers' ticket office today at 402-344-7825, extension 1, or log on to www.lancers.com for more information. Be sure to follow the Lancers on Twitter @OmahaLancers and don't forget to 'Like' the official "Omaha Lancers" fan page on Facebook.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2014


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