USHL Tri-City Storm

Tri-City Storm Weekend Preview: Tri-City at Sioux Falls

February 11, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Tri-City Storm News Release


The Tri-City Storm completes a season-long six-game road trip with a pair of games against the Sioux Falls Stampede this Friday and Saturday. Both games are slated for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop.

This is the first time since Nov. 21 the clubs meet, and for the second time this season, the Storm and Herd match up for three straight games. The Storm has earned points in two of the first three games (1-1-1-0).

The Storm (18-12-6-4) enters the weekend with 46 points, three behind Lincoln for first and three ahead of Omaha for third. Sioux Falls (19-19-1-1, 40 points) is tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference with Waterloo.

The Viaero Wireless Pregame Show begins at 6:45 p.m on the Breeze 94.5 FM for both games.

The Season Series:

The Storm met the Stampede for the first time Nov. 14 at Sioux Falls, earning a point in a 2-1 overtime loss. Parker Tuomie scored the overtime goal and leads all players with six points (3g, 3a) in the season set. Nico Sturm scored the only goal for the Storm. The 20-year-old has a pair of goals and three points against the Herd through the first three games.

In the second game of the series on Nov. 20 at the Viaero Center, Tri-City triumphed 5-4. Jake Wahlin set a career high with four points and tied a game-best two goals. Jake Kielly made 31 saves to beat Herd goalie Steffanos Lekkas, Kielly's only appearance against Sioux Falls this season. Also significant to the cause, Storm forward Wade Allison scored his second goal of the season, beginning his masterful work over the last three months; the 18-year-old sniper has 16 goals and 24 points over his last 25 games.

In the third game, Nov. 21, Mattias Goransson scored the only goal for the Storm in a 3-1 defeat.

Scouting Sioux Falls

Forwards

Parker Tuomie continues to lead the Herd, potting 19 goals and 35 points. When the Storm last faced Tuomie, the 20-year-old was in the midst of a six-game goal-scoring stretch. True to form, Tuomie scored in all three games against Tri-City. Since the six-game streak, Tuomie has settled down, tallying three goals and ten points in his last 22 games.

Sioux Falls' forward unit has undergone some changes since the last meeting; Collin Peters was dealt to Lincoln a few weeks ago after scoring ten goals and 19 points with the Stampede. Meanwhile, Providence commit Ryan Brushett is no longer on the active roster.

Defensemen + Goalies

Joe Rutkowski is the biggest offensive threat on the back end, collecting 19 assists and 20 points. His first USHL goal was a power-play marker at Lincoln on Feb. 5. The Ferris State commit is a former member of the Chicago Mission, where he played with Storm Captain Tory Dello.

Former Tri-City blueliner Garret Cecere, a member of Tri-City from 2012-14, has one goal and eight assists.

In net, Stefanos Lekkas has played in 29 of 40 games for the Herd, compiling a 13-13-1-1 record, a 2.80 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. The 20-year-old stands 5-foot-10, 168 lbs. and has played in the last six games for the Herd, winning two. Lekkas played in all 12 playoff games for the Herd last year on its run to win the Clark Cup.

Backup goaltender Ales Stezka made 29 saves Nov. 21 against Tri-City. The 19-year-old has played just once since allowing five goals and getting yanked in the Herd's 7-3 loss to Cedar Rapids on Dec. 4. The Vermont commit's last appearance was Jan. 16 at Omaha, a 30-save loss, giving the native of Elburn, IL a 6-6-0-0 record, a 3.15 goals against average and a .896 save percentage.

Tri-City is next at home on Feb. 19 against Sioux Falls for Thunderstruck Night, with a Free Kids Friday and a special thunderstick giveaway. Listen to the Storm's games on the Breeze 94.5 FM with David Fine.

http://bit.ly/Storm_Tickets

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

Check out the Tri-City Storm Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2016


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