The Aftermath: Storm Advances to Conference Finals Following Sweep of Lancers
May 1, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release
RALSTON, NE. - The Tri-City Storm advanced to the 2022 Western Conference Final Sunday afternoon after completing a two-game sweep of the Omaha Lancers in the Conference Semifinals Round of the Clark Cup Playoffs. The Storm posted a 4-0 road shut out of the Lancers on Sunday following a 7-4 win at the Viaero Center on Saturday night. Tri-City won the first two games of the best-of-three series to advance to the next round of the postseason. Ilya Nikolaev (2), Dane Dowiak, and Lleyton Roed scored the Storm's goals in the victory. Arsenii Sergeev posted his first-career postseason shutout after turning away all 17 of Omaha's shots on net.
Tri-City will return home to the Viaero Center to host the first two games of the Conference Final round of the playoffs on Friday and Saturday. Tickets to Game #1 and Game #2 of the 2022 Western Conference Final at the Viaero Center go on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00am. Conference Final ticket pricing includes $15 for Rows 2-13, and $20 for Glass seats. Tickets to each game can be purchased online at www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144. A limited number of rally towels will be given away at the door prior to Friday's game.
Ilya Nikolaev netted his team-leading third goal of the postseason at 6:22 of Sunday's 1st period to give Tri-City a one-goal lead in the game. Cole O'Hara and Mitchell Miller each notched an assist on the scoring play. The Storm outshot the Lancers 11-5 in the 1st period, and the 2nd period began with Tri-City leading 1-0.
Ilya Nikolaev scored in the opening two minutes of Sunday's 2nd period to put Tri-City ahead by two goals. Nikolaev's goal was netted at 1:42 of the period and was assisted by Jeremy Wilmer. Dane Dowiak scored a powerplay goal at 9:52 of Sunday's 2nd period to give Tri-City a 3-0 lead. Jeremy Wilmer and Matt Basgall each notched an assist on the scoring play. The Storm outshot the Lancers 14-2 in the 2nd period, and carried a three-goal lead into the 3rd period.
Lleyton Roed scored the only goal of Sunday's 3rd period with less than six minutes to play. The goal was Roed's first of the postseason, and was assisted by Cole O'Hara and Graham Gamache. Shots on goal were 8-8 in the 3rd period, and the Storm outshot the Lancers by an overall margin of 33-17 in the matchup. Tri-City completed the two-game sweep of Omaha with a four-goal shutout victory.
Arsenii Sergeev posted a shutout in goal for the Storm after making 17 saves on Omaha's 17 shots on net. Kevin Pasche dropped the game in goal for the Lancers after stopping 29 of the Storm's 33 shots on net. Sergeev improved to 2-0-0 in postseason play for Tri-City in the victory.
Tri-City now awaits the winner of Game #3 of the Western Conference Semifinal matchup between the Sioux City Musketeers and Waterloo Black Hawks to face in the next round of the postseason. The decisive game between the Musketeers and Black Hawks will be played Tuesday at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA. Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 7:05pm. The winner will advance to play Tri-City in Game #1 of the 2022 Western Conference Final at the Viaero Center on Friday night. Puck drop for Game #1 and Game #2 of the Conference Final series at the Viaero Center is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.
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United States Hockey League Stories from May 1, 2022
- The Aftermath: Storm Advances to Conference Finals Following Sweep of Lancers - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers Eliminated from 2022 Clark Cup Playoffs - Omaha Lancers
- Goaltending Duel Goes to Croteau - Waterloo Black Hawks
- 2021-22 Fargo Force Team Awards Announced - Fargo Force
- USHL Prepares for 2022 League Drafts - USHL
- Storm Hits the Road for Game #2 of Western Conference Semifinal - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers Fall on the Road as Tri-City Takes Game One - Omaha Lancers
- Storm Begins Postseason with 7-4 Home Win over Lancers - Tri-City Storm
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