USHL Tri-City Storm

Tri-City Storm One Game Away from Clinching Playoff Berth

March 21, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


The Storm is on its longest point streak ever (13 games, 8-0-2-3) and is one win away from clinching a berth in the Clark Cup Playoffs after sweeping the weekend against a pair of Western Conference opponents. Tri-City has the fewest regulation losses in the USHL (12) and hasn't lost in regulation since Feb. 6. The Storm has earned at least a point in 30 of its last 33 games.

Tri-City is three points ahead of the Lincoln Stars for first place in the Western Conference.

Nine players contributed ten goals for the Storm over the weekend, pushing Tri-City to an average of three goals/game, its highest average since the second half began. The Storm's defense allows 2.60 goals/game, tied for fifth in the league.

This week, Tri-City looks to clinch a playoff berth for the second straight season, hosting the Des Moines Buccaneers on Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. for Comicon Night, presented by the Troll's Den. The Storm travels to play the Bucs on Saturday, March 26 at 7:05 p.m.

Next week, the Storm is at the Viaero Center on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:05 p.m. against the Sioux City Musketeers, a 2fer Tuesday with $2 beers and $2 kids' tickets, presented by Bud Light.

Groups of 10+ can get discounted group tickets for as low as $11. For information contact the Storm Box Office at 308-338-8144.

http://bit.ly/Storm_Tickets

Last Week:

Friday, March 18 at Des Moines, W, 6-3

Saturday, March 19 vs. Sioux City, W, 4-1

This Week:

Friday, March 25 vs. Des Moines, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 26 at Des Moines, 7:05 p.m.

Need to Know:

An update on the streaks

The Storm's weekend sweep has helped it stay undefeated in regulation in its last 13 games, the best point streak in franchise history. Tri-City clinched the record at home Saturday, handily defeating Sioux City, 4-1, to eclipse the previous record of 12 games set during the Storm's inaugural season, 2000-01.

The Storm's 13-game undefeated run is the best in the USHL this season.

In addition, the Storm has points 22 straight conference games (16-0-3-3). Tri-City has the best record against the Western Conference this season, 19-8-5-3, good for 46 points. The Storm's Friday win at Des Moines gives it points in 14 straight conference road games (10-0-2-2). Tri-City last lost a conference game in regulation on Nov. 21 vs. Sioux Falls.

Goaltender Jake Kielly has points in 19 straight appearances (13-0-4-2) after making 19 saves in a 6-3 win Friday at Des Moines. The Tier I USHL record for longest undefeated streak by a goalie is 28 games, set by Green Bay Gamblers netminder Steve Summerhays in 2009-10, who went 25-0-2 over the streak.

Afraid of the box

The Storm has taken 640 penalty minutes this season, an average of 12.08 per game, fewest in the USHL and on pace for the fewest penalty minutes taken in a season by Tri-City.

In 2008-09, the Tri-City took 851 penalty minutes in 60 games (14.18 PIMs/game), currently the Storm's fewest in a season.

Tri-City would need to average about 30 penalty minutes a game in each of its final seven contests to eclipse 851 penalty minutes. The Storm has taken at least 30 penalty minutes in three games.

Part of the reason for the Storm's low penalty total is it has not taken a high number of minor penalties; Tri-City has limited opponents to three of fewer power-play opportunities in 31 of its 53 games. The Storm has taken fewer than 10 penalty minutes in 28 games.

Meanwhile, opponents have taken 799 penalty minutes against the Storm. In 34 games, Tri-City has had at least three power-play chances.

Game Recaps:

Game 52 at Des Moines: Walsh's strong debut leads Storm to 6-3 win

Defenseman Reilly Walsh had a goal and an assist in his USHL debut, one of seven Storm players with multi-point efforts in a 6-3 win Friday at Buccaneer Arena.

The 16-year-old affiliate defenseman visited for the weekend with affiliate forward Ben Taylor. Each played on Friday and Saturday. Taylor scored his first USHL goal on a net-mouth scramble late in the second to give Tri-City a two-goal lead.

Walsh, 16, scored an early third-period goal to extend the Storm's lead, 5-2. The Harvard commit was the Storm's first-round pick in Phase I of the 2015 USHL Draft. Tri-City limited the Bucs to three shots in the third.

Brandon Duhaime had a Storm-best three points, scoring the first of three second-period goals.

Carson Meyer had his team-leading 27th of the season into an empty net with 1:19 left to ice the game.

Game 53 vs. Sioux City: Rasmussen stifles Musketeers, 4-1

Dayton Rasmussen made 35 saves, the most the rookie has had in a win this season, to give the Storm points in a team-record 13 straight games. Tri-City trampled the league-worst Musketeers, 4-1, Saturday at the Viaero Center.

Besides Team USA, the 17-year-old goalie is the youngest netminder to have consistent playing minutes in the league. Rasmussen made eight stops in the first seven minutes of the first. With the Storm down in shots, 8-1, the game turned with consistent Tri-City offense. Walker Duehr scored his 10th of the season about seven minutes into the frame to give the Storm a lead it would not surrender.

Jake Wahlin, Max Humitz and Joe Cipollone also potted goals.

Amidst the Storm's offensive success, Rasmussen continued to dominate, making 27 saves and allowing one goal through the first two periods. Humitz's goal gave Tri-City a 3-1 edge early in the third and the Storm allowed eight shots in the final frame.

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2016


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