Vallis Hat Trick Sparks Omaha's 4-2 Victory Over Chicago
Published on November 6, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha, NE - Max Vallis scored three goals and Thatcher Demko registered 26 saves as the Omaha Lancers completed a perfect weekend knocking off the Chicago Steel 4-2 Sunday evening at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. With the win, Omaha improved to 7-3-1 overall this season and added to its lead atop the Western Conference with 15 standings points. The victory capped a perfect weekend for the Lancers who won three games in three days.
Chicago opened the scoring 3:25 into the first period when Canon Pieper connected with Christian Neumann on a two-on-one for Neumann's first career USHL goal. The Steel doubled their advantage less than three minutes later when Daniel Kucerovy won a battle for a loose puck in the Omaha goal crease for his second goal of the season. Christian Heil and Kyle Buffardi assisted on the even strength marker notched 6:18 into the period. The Lancers responded quickly though and sliced Chicago's lead in half less than three minutes later when Anthony Hamburg from the left wing half boards found Vallis in the slot who made no mistake in one-timing home his third goal of the season. Eli Lichtenwald garnered the secondary assist on the five-on-five goal scored 8:53 into the opening period of play. Omaha then found the equalizing marker 15:08 into the first period when Matt Gaudreau made a brilliant move atop the Chicago goal crease before sending in his third goal of the young season. Michael Ferrantino earned his third point of the season with the primary assist while Greg Gozzo notched his fifth point of the year with the secondary helper.
Vallis notched his second goal of the game and the eventual game-winning marker 7:39 into the second period after a battle for a loose puck atop the Chicago goal crease landed on Vallis' stick who made no mistake in driving in his fourth goal of the season. Lichtenwald and Scott Dornbrock assisted on the game-winning strike, which was Vallis' second game-winning goal of the weekend.
The native of Santa Clara, California completed his hat trick 18:55 into the final period when an attempted Chicago clearing pass backfired producing Vallis' fourth goal of the weekend and fifth of the season.
In goal for Omaha, Demko earned his first career USHL victory after 26 saves on 28 Steel shots. Demko's evening included a run of 25 consecutive saves. Meanwhile, Chicago's Adam Miller suffered the loss despite 43 saves on 46 Lancers shots.
The Lancers are back in action next Friday evening when they welcome the Des Moines Buccaneers to the Omaha Civic Auditorium for a 7:05 PM showdown.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2011
- Vallis Hat Trick Sparks Omaha's 4-2 Victory Over Chicago - Omaha Lancers
- Storm Drop Fourth Straight Game to Stampede, 3-2 - Tri-City Storm
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