Williams Shines as Lancers Fall 4-2 to Waterloo
Published on February 11, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
Omaha, Neb. - Stephon Williams registered 34 saves in earning his first victory as a member of the Waterloo Black Hawks as Waterloo doubled up the Omaha Lancers 4-2 Saturday evening in front of 3,893 fans at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Following the setback, Omaha moved to 25-13-3 on the year but remains atop the Western Conference with 53 standings points. The loss was just the fifth regulation setback for Omaha over the last 22 games.
Waterloo grabbed the game's first goal and the only goal of the opening period when A.J. Michaelson broke in on the left wing before snapping home his fifth goal of the season. Mike Huntebrinker earned the only assist on the even strength marker notched 4:04 into the first period.
The Black Hawks doubled their lead less than two minutes into the second period when Mattias Cleland launched a left point shot through traffic and past Lancers goaltender Alex Lyon for his first career USHL goal. Taylor Cammarata and Ryan Papa assisted on the even strength goal scored 1:51 into the middle stanza. Omaha sliced the lead in half less than three minutes later when Nolan Zajac lifted a centering pass from behind the net into the slot where Tanner Lane punched in his sixth goal of the season. Anthony Hamburg earned the secondary assist on the five-on-five goal netted 4:46 into period two. Waterloo reestablished its two-goal lead a little over five minutes later when, while on the power play, Scott MacDonald set up Papa for his 11th goal of the year. Mitch Witek garnered the secondary assist on Waterloo's 24th man-advantage marker this season and second in the season series with the Lancers.
Waterloo earned its largest lead of the night 4:05 into the third period when Aaron Pearce pounced on a rebound atop the Lancers goal crease before sending in his ninth goal of the season. MacDonald and Tony Cameranesi assisted on the final dent to the score sheet by the Black Hawks. The Lancers found the scoreboard again 17:10 into the final period of regulation when Casey Bailey poured in his team-leading 19th goal of the season but it was too little too late for Omaha. Jimmy Murray and Greg Gozzo assisted on the man-advantage marker by Bailey, which extended both Murray and Gozzo's point streaks to seven consecutive games.
Williams, who was acquired in a trade with the Sioux Falls Stampede on February 2, earned his first victory since joining the Black Hawks after 34 saves on 36 shots. Williams is now 1-1-1 with Waterloo and 7-10-3 overall this season. Meanwhile, Lyon suffered the loss for the Lancers after 26 saves on 30 Waterloo shots. The loss was Lyon's first in regulation over his last nine decisions and moved the netminder's overall mark on the year to 18-9-3.
The Lancers are back in action next Friday evening when they welcome the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders to the Omaha Civic Auditorium for a 7:05 PM showdown.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2012
- Stampede fall 5-0 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Fighting Saints Grab 3-0 Win Over Roughriders - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Hawks Fly by Lancers - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Jacks Come Back, But Indiana Wins in Overtime - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Williams Shines as Lancers Fall 4-2 to Waterloo - Omaha Lancers
- Fighting Saints Hope to Rebound Against Roughriders Tonight - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Captures 2012 Vlad Dzurilla Under-18 Tournament Title - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Falls to Finland, 4-0, in 2012 Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
- Dzakhov, Chyzyk Lead Force Past Storm, 3-1 - Tri-City Storm
- Close Calls Help But Hawks Fall - Waterloo Black Hawks
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.
