Sports stats



USHL Tri-City Storm

Tri-City Defeats Des Moines 7-4

January 26, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


Urbandale, IA - The Tri-City Storm scored a season high seven goals for the second consecutive game and defeated the Des Moines Buccaneers by a final score of 7-4 Saturday night at Buccaneer Arena in Urbandale, Iowa. In the win, Tri-City took over the 1st place spot in the USHL league standings for the second time this season. Tri-City completes a three game in three-day weekend tomorrow afternoon at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa in a matchup with the Sioux City Musketeers. In tonight's game, Tri-City got goals from Benji Eckerle, Ronnie Attard, Connor McMenamin, Ruben Rafkin, Joe Molenaar and Shane Pinto. Storm goaltender Jake Barczewski 33 of Des Moine's 37 shots to record the victory in net. Tri-City is now 28-8-1-1 through the first 38 games of the regular season.

In a game that saw a combined eleven goals scored, the first goal of the game was not scored until Benji Eckerle's strike just over a minute into the 2nd period. A fast paced 1st period yielded no goals, as Des Moines outshot Tri-City 13-6. Eckerle gave Tri-City its first lead of the game at 1:41 of the 2nd period on a goal that was assisted by Keaton Pehrson. Ronnie Attard netted his 12th goal of the season minutes later at the 4:04 mark of the period to increase the Storm lead to two goals. Attard's goal was scored on the power play and was assisted by Zac Jones and Brendan Budy. The Buccaneers fought back to tie the game with two quick goals from Luke Manning and Scooter Brickey at 12:42 and 13:38 of the period tied the game at 2-2. Connor McMenamin gave the Storm its second lead of the game at 16:08 of the period on a goal assisted by Chase McLane. Following McMenamin's goal, Ruben Rafkin scored his 2nd goal of the season to give the Storm a 4-2 lead entering the 3rd period. Rafkin's goal was assisted by Benji Eckerle. Tri-City outshot Des Moines 11-7 in a wild 2nd period that saw a total of six goals scored between the two teams.

The Buccaneers began the 3rd period with a goal to cut the Storm lead in half. Des Moine's goal was netted by Matt Brown at 1:27 of the period and was assisted by Mac Welsher and Michael Mancinelli. Twenty-two seconds later, Joe Molenaar scored his 11th goal of the year to give the Storm another two-goal lead. Molenaar's goal was assisted by Colton Kalezic, and Ruben Rafkin. Shane Pinto gave Tri-City a 6-3 lead on a goal assisted by Brendan Budy and Joe Molenaar at 4:55 of the 3rd period. Matt Brown scored his 2nd goal of the game and 21st goal of the season at 10:12 of the 3rd period to bring the Bucs back within two. Connor McMenamin scored an empty net goal with less than two minutes to go to give Tri-City a 7-4 win. McMenamin's empty net goal was assisted by Chase McLane.

Benji Eckerle was named the game's 1st Star, with Connor McMenamin picking up 2nd Star honors. Tri-City has now won three of the first five games in the seven game season series against Des Moines.

Tri-City returns to action tomorrow in a road game against the Sioux City Musketeers. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:05pm, with the broadcast beginning on Hockey TV and Storm Radio at 2:45pm. For home game tickets and more information on the Tri-City Storm, visit www.stormhockey.com.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 26, 2019


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.

OurSports Central