Two-Point Games by Fernandez, Marcellus Lead Stars Past Storm
March 29, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Antonio Fernandez and Mason Marcellus both scored and added an assist as the Lincoln Stars defeated the Tri-City Storm, 3-2, on Wednesday afternoon at the Ice Box.
Both of their goals came in the second period to push the Stars' lead to two after 40 minutes. Fernandez's 10th of the season moved him into a tie for fourth-most goals among USHL defensemen and Marcellus recorded his 43rd assist to move into a tie for most in the USHL. Tyler Dunbar scored in the first to record his first tally in a Stars' uniform.
"I was really proud of the way we played today," head coach Rocky Russo said. "We had a ton of extended offensive possession. We got a lot of great chances. (Goaltender Cameron) Korpi made some outstanding saves and kept them in it when we were pushing . They're a great team and they got their chances too. We were really able to stick to our gameplan today and advance pucks, play north and keep it behind their defense."
Lincoln (32-18-3-1) never trailed in its seventh win in the 11th game of the season series against Tri-City (29-18-3-3). The Stars move four points ahead of the Storm for third place and are three points back of second place. Lincoln kept Tri-City's magic number at two and prevented them from clinching a playoff spot Wednesday.
Both teams combined for seven power plays but neither squad cashed in on the man advantage. The Stars killed off all four Storm power plays and moved to a perfect 33-for-their-last-33 spanning the last nine games. Lincoln has not allowed a power play goal in its last eight games and not since the first period on March 3 against Sioux City.
Dunbar scored his first goal in a Stars' uniform and the 13th of his USHL career with a wrist shot inside the far circle at the 10:20 mark of the first. It marked his fourth point since joining the Stars and almost didn't happen because German Yavash's pass to Dunbar hit off the stick of Storm forward Daimon Gardner but fortuitously right to Dunbar in stride.
"It's nice to get that one out of the way," Dunbar said. "I think I've had plenty of opportunities since joining and they just haven't gone in but to get that one feels good. I felt like I played my game and the hockey that I expected of myself and it was nice to get rewarded."
The Storm came out of the locker room hot to begin the second period as they attempted five of the first six shots. Trevor Connelly evened the game up at the 1:56 mark to extend his goal-scoring streak to eight games and point streak to 15 games.
Marcellus scored for a fifth time against Tri-City shortly after being knocked down just outside the crease. He got back up and potted home a rebound on a Tanner Ludtke shot that hit off Korpi's right pad but came right to Marcellus all alone just outside of the crease. His 15th of the season came at the 14:23 mark of the second.
Marcellus teamed up with Klavs Veinbergs to set up the eventual game-winner at the 16:55 mark shortly after a Lincoln goal was overturned. The Stars' captain corralled the puck in the far corner and passed from behind the goal line to Veinbergs just in front of him. Veinbergs skated up the far wall before dropping it back to Marcellus just out of the corner. Fernandez cut into the circle and let it rip shortly after receiving a centering pass from Marcellus to make it 3-1, Stars.
"It was a phenomenal play by Klavs and Mason," Fernandez said. "Mason did what he does best and he finds guys when you don't think he can. He found me and I ripped it low blocker. I was opening up for the one-timer but it was looking like Klavs didn't want to get it to me there so I went down a little and it found the back of the net."
Alex Bump scored on a mini breakaway for the only goal of the third period at the 7:53 mark but Tri-City could not even the game up a second time. Their three-game win streak and four-game point streak simultaneously came to an end.
.hereThe Stars have Thursday off before jumping back into action with two straight games against Waterloo at the Ice Box. Fans can purchase tickets to both games and pay half-price value
United States Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2023
- Two-Point Games by Fernandez, Marcellus Lead Stars Past Storm - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Drops Midweek Game to Stars 3-2 - Tri-City Storm
- Lumberjacks Head East to Youngstown for Two Game Set - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- $2 Beer Night April 1st - Sioux City Musketeers
- Buc Beer Night Is Back - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Bobblehead Giveaway, Pucks and Pups this Weekend - Chicago Steel
- Storm Set for Morning Game against Stars - Tri-City Storm
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