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USHL Lincoln Stars

Top-Ranked Stars Host Rival Lancers

December 11, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release


Lincoln, Neb. - The Lincoln Stars (15-8-0) host the Omaha Lancers (13-7-2) for a rivalry matchup between the top teams in the Western Conference. The Stars have a league-leading 30 points, while the Lancers have 28 points and a game in hand.

Lincoln has dropped three of its last five games after losing a pair to Tri-City last weekend. The Stars will be without top scorers Ludvig Hoff (World Junior Championship) and Grant Jozefek (World Junior A Challenge) for the next four games as the pair is playing internationally. The absence will give replacement player Chayse Primeau a chance to make his USHL debut.

The Stars' top-ranked power play (26.7%) will matchup against the Lancers' second-best penalty kill in the league (88.6%). It will be the third meeting between Lincoln and Omaha this season. The teams have split their previous games.

Omaha has won four of its last five games and is led by forward Josh French who has six goals and 10 assists. The Lancers will be without goaltender Kris Oldham and head coach Brian Kaufman who are with Jozefek representing Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge.

Last Game

Sunday vs. Tri-City - (4-1 L)

The Stars were unable to erase a 3-0 deficit, taking consecutive losses for only the second time this season. Patrick Polino scored the Stars' lone goal and Patrik Virtanen made 19 saves.

Stars Lately - The Stars have lost three of their last five games, but sit atop the Western Conference with a league-leading 30 points. Ludvig Hoff and Grant Jozefek lead the Stars, but will be playing internationally for the next four games. The Stars have 10 skaters with 10 or more points. Peyton Jones has the sixth-best GAA in the league (2.23).

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Video: FASTHockey | Live Stats: USHL.com

Scouting Omaha - The Lancers are second in the Western Conference and have won four of their last five games, falling 3-2 to Dubuque last game. The Lancers are led by Josh French, who has six goals and 10 assists. Their goaltending tandem of Kris Oldham and Zack Skog has the seventh and eighth best GAA in the USHL, respectively. Oldham has joined Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge.

Future Teammates

-LIN Ryan Jones, OMA Kris Oldham - University of Nebraska Omaha

-LIN Jack Badini, OMA Nathan Krusko, OMA Mitch Perrault - Harvard University

-LIN Christian Evers, LIN Ludvig Hoff, OMA Peter Thome - North Dakota

Rep' The Country - The Stars are losing two top forwards to international play for the next four games. Ludvig Hoff is playing for Team Norway in the IIHF Division I World Junior Championship in Vienna Austria. Grant Jozefek is playing for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge in Cobourg and Whitby, Ontario. Both tournaments run from Dec. 13-19.

Recent History - The Stars are 1-1-0 vs. the Lancers this season. The Lancers won the last meeting with the Stars, 5-2, in Omaha.

Polino Commits - Patrick Polino committed to R.P.I. on Wednesday, becoming the 18th NCAA commit on the Stars roster. Polino is in his fourth USHL season and has 192 games played.

Primeau Joins - The Stars added Chayse Primeau as a replacement player for the next four games. Primeau will serve as a replacement while Ludvig Hoff and Grant Jozefek are playing internationally.

Gone Streakin' - Adam Brady has a three-game assist streak with five helpers in his last three games.

Clothing Drive - The Stars and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association are partnering for a clothing drive on Friday night at the Ice Box. Fans are encouraged to stop by the Combat Vets' trailer in front of the Ice Box to make a donation.

Jersey Auction Success - The Stars raised more than $20,000 for Make-A-Wish Nebraska with their jersey auction on Saturday night. The Stars also collected and delivered hundreds of teddy bears to Community Action, a local non-profit, as a part of the annual Teddy Bear Toss.

Trade Made - The Stars acquired defenseman Alex Green from the Muskegon Lumberjacks for defensemen Christian Hausinger last week. Green has four shots and 12 PIMS in 8 games this season.

Overtime Heroes - Lincoln is 3-0-0 in overtime and shootouts this season. Jozefek and Hoff have the Stars' overtime winners.

(Super) Power Play - The Stars have the best power play in the league, scoring on 26.7% of chances (23-86).

Blue Line Boosters - Stars defensemen have registered 42 points this season with six goals and 36 assists. Christian Evers has four goals and 8 assists. Ryan Jones has two goals and 10 assists.

Scoring By Committee - 15 Stars have scored goals and 18 have registered points. Tye Ausmus, Alex Green and Joachim Weberg are the only skaters without points.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2015


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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