Third Period Surge Leads Bucs Past Lancers 6-4
Published on November 18, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha, NE - The Des Moines Buccaneers scored three third period goals for the second straight week and outlasted the Omaha Lancers 6-4 Friday evening in front of 2.425 fans at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. With the win, Des Moines has now won five of its last six games. Meanwhile, following the setback, Omaha dipped to 8-6-1 on the year. The Lancers maintain sole possession of second place in the Western Conference with 17 standings points.
Omaha grabbed the game's opening goal 7:40 into period one when, from below the goal line, Anthony Hamburg found Max Vallis on the left wing who made no mistake in blasting home his sixth goal of the season. Kenny Gillespie earned the secondary assist on the even strength goal, which marked the eighth time in 15 games this season that the Lancers have scored the game's first goal. Des Moines evened the game just over four minutes later when Tanner Karty slipped behind the Omaha defense before driving in his third goal of the year. Connor Schmidt earned the only assist on the five-on-five goal notched 11:52 into the opening period of play.
The Lancers regained the lead 6:12 into the second period when, while on the power play, Victor Newell blasted a slap shot from the high slot through traffic and past Des Moines goaltender Jason Kasdorf. Vallis and Kevin Schulze assisted on Newell's third goal of the season and Omaha's seventh power play strike of the year. Des Moines was able to even the game and then take its first lead of the night thanks to a pair of goals in less than two minutes late in the period. First, Irwin notched his first goal of the night 15:34 into the period on a side angle shot from the left wing that deflected off an Omaha defender atop the goal crease before bounding into the Lancers goal. Then,17:17 into the middle stanza, Garrett Allen found Justin Hussar on the back door for Hussar's fourth goal of the season. Schmidt earned the secondary assist on the even strength goal, which gave Des Moines a 3-2 lead through two periods.
The Buccaneers doubled their advantage early in the third when, while on the power play, Gasper Kopitar won a battle atop the Omaha goal crease in driving in his third goal of the season. Cal Decowski and Ethan Prow assisted on the man advantage marker netted 1:13 into the final frame. Des Moines landed the eventual game-winning goal just past the midway point of the third period when Irwin took a giveaway in the Lancers defensive zone and snapped home his second goal of the game and fourth of the season. The Lancers charged back and trimmed Des Moines' advantage to a single tally late in regulation after netting two goals just over three minutes apart. First, Michael Ferrantino found Greg Gozzo atop the Buccaneers goal crease for Gozzo's fourth goal of the season. Jimmy Murray garnered the secondary assist on the five-on-five scored 12:33 into the period. Then, while on the power play, Omaha climbed to within a single goal 15:41 into the period one a one-timer from the left wing by Kenney Morrison. Nolan Zajac and Casey Bailey assisted on Morrison's first career USHL goal. But Des Moines dashed Omaha's comeback hopes when, with the goaltender pulled in favor of the extra attacker, Patrick Kirtland found the empty Lancers cage sealing the victory for the Buccaneers.
Kasdorf earned the victory in goal for Des Moines after 17 saves on 21 shots. With the win, Kasdorf improved to 2-0 against the Lancers and is now 4-4-1 on the year. Meanwhile, Omaha goaltender Alex Lyon suffered the loss after 24 saves on 29 shots. Lyon is now 5-4-1 this season.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow evening when they welcome the Sioux City Musketeers to the Omaha Civic Auditorium for a 7:05 PM showdown.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 18, 2011
- Phantoms 'Grind Out' 4-1 Win Over Steel - Youngstown Phantoms
- Storm Calmed by Lumberjacks in Loss, 2-0 - Tri-City Storm
- Second Period Struggles Squashed - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Black Hawks Down Fighting Saints 6-3 in Waterloo - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Third Period Surge Leads Bucs Past Lancers 6-4 - Omaha Lancers
- Keeney Flawless in Muskegon's Shutout Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Gamblers Home for the Holidays - Green Bay Gamblers
- Fighting Saints Travel to Waterloo Tonight - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Tomorrow Night Is Vegas Night at Buccaneer Arena - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Ice Express Show Of Super Bowl Support - Indiana Ice
- Ice Players Make NHL Central Scouting List for 2012 Draft - Indiana Ice
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