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This Week in the USHL

Published on February 2, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release


To many, the first team that comes to mind when talking about the USHL is the Omaha Lancers. Perhaps this is because they have won more Anderson Cups (5) and more Clark Cups (7) then any other team in USHL history. Perhaps it is because for much of the 1990's, it was the hardest junior hockey ticket to get in the United States. But it hasn't always been that way, for the Lancers also hold the USHL record for futility. The Lancers lost all 48 games of their inaugural season (1986- 87), and the first five of their second season before tasting victory.

That landmark win came early in the 1987-88 season when future NHLer Fred Knipscheer scored 1:18 into overtime, giving Omaha a 7-6 win over Des Moines. "We are going to have a party," said team president Tom Edwards after the win.

They Don't Know When To Fold ‘Em: Green Bay has extended their winning streak to 12 games, the longest winning streak in the USHL this season. It is also the longest winning streak in Gamblers franchise history.

Putting The "O" In Fargo: Mike Lee, the fourth highest ranked goaltender in North America according to NHL Central Scouting, recorded his first USHL shutout, making 35 saves in a 2-0 win over Omaha on Saturday.

Oddomatic: Cedar Rapids' Nick Oddo scored a pair of goals in Friday's 6- 1 win over Chicago. He then had a pair of assists in a 5-4 overtime win over Des Moines on Saturday. It's the third time this season that Oddo recorded points in back-to-back games.

Perfect 10: Stephane Da Costa scored the game-winning goal with just ten seconds to play in regulation in Sioux City's 3-2 win over Sioux Falls on Saturday. Da Costa has at least one point in 18 of Sioux City's last 20 games.

Be Like Mike: Mike Cichy continues to make an impact with the Indiana Ice. On Wednesday, Cichy scored the game-winning goal in overtime, giving Indiana a 3-2 win over Waterloo. Cichy has 14 points in his first seven games with the Ice.

Dandy Danny: Danny Kristo had his third three-point game of the season, scoring twice and adding an assist, in Omaha's 5-2 win over Tri-City on Tuesday. Kristo is now averaging over a point-per-game, with 29 in 28 games.

All-Star Type Performance: Anthony DeCenzo has been added to the roster of the West Division team in the USHL Prospects/All-Star Game, replacing Fargo's Keegan Flaherty who is injured. He celebrated his selection by putting up four points in three games last week.

Himelson's High Point: Andrew Himelson's first USHL goal was one to remember, coming at 2:13 of overtime to give Des Moines a 3-2 win over Chicago on Thursday, and snapping the Bucs' losing streak at seven.

PRO ALUMNI NEWS

-Joe Motzko (Omaha) was called up by the Atlanta Thrashers and made his season-debut with the team on Saturday against Carolina. Colin Stuart (Lincoln) was also called up by the Thrashers at the same time, his second recall of the season.

-Justin Abdelkader (Cedar Rapids) was recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. He made his season-debut in their game Saturday against Washington. He played 13 shifts and had two shots on goal in 9:25 of ice time.

-David Backes (Lincoln) is fifth in the NHL in penalty minutes with 125.

-Jason Blake (Waterloo) has stayed on his hot streak, with eight points in his last four games. Blake now has 37 points on the year, tying him for the Toronto Maple Leafs' team scoring lead.

-Ryan Johnson (Thunder Bay) returned to the Vancouver Canucks' lineup after a lenghty absence due to injury. He scored his first goal since his return in Vancouver's 5-3 loss to Nashville on Wednesday.

-Thomas Vanek (Sioux Falls) may have fallen off the NHL goal scoring lead, but he has cracked the top 20 in scoring. Vanek has seven assists in his last ten games and now has 29 goals and 48 points, tying him for 17th in the NHL in scoring.

-Kyle Okposo (Des Moines) is on fire, scoring goals in four straight games. He has five goals in that stretch, including a two-goal game in Thursday's 5-4 Islanders' win over Atlanta. One of Okposo's goals was the game-winner.

-Paul Stastny (Omaha) continues to recover from a broken arm.

COLLEGE ALUMNI NEWS

-Zach Redmond (Sioux Falls) had three assists in Ferris State's 7-1 win over Nebraska-Omaha on Friday.

-Alex Stalock (Cedar Rapids) picked up his second shutout in the last four games, making 33 saves in Minnesota-Duluth's 1-0 win over Wisconsin on Saturday.

-James Marcou (Waterloo) had four assists in Massachusetts' 6-4 upset win over Northeastern on Friday. Marcou leads the Minutemen in scoring with 31 points in 26 games.

-Mike Gurtler (Indiana) scored his tenth goal of the season at 3:09 of overtime as Mercyhurst beat Air Force 3-2 in overtime on Saturday.

-Mario Lamoureux (Tri-City) had a goal and an assist in North Dakota's 4- 2 win over St. Cloud State on Saturday night. Lamoureux now has four points in 11 games during his freshman season.

-Sergio Somma (Green Bay) scored a pair of goals in Ohio State's 6-2 win over Alaska on Saturday.

-Tim Miller (Omaha) scored his sixth goal of the season 40 seconds into the second period on Friday night. It turned out to be the game-winner in a 2-1 Michigan win over Notre Dame. The win snapped Notre Dame's unbeaten streak at 200 games.

-Brock Bradford (Omaha) scored his 17th goal of the season in Boston College's 2-2 tie with Providence on Friday. Bradford is now tied for third in the nation in goals, three behind the leader.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2009


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