Lancers Fall to Des Moines to Complete the First Weekend of Preseason Play
September 10, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Omaha Lancers News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA. – The Lancers squared off against the Buccaneers of Des Moines this afternoon at Tyson Event Center in Sioux City to cap off the three game weekend. And after falling to Sioux Falls by a score of 4-3 last Thursday (9/8) and Sioux City yesterday, 4-1, the Lancers were still on the search for their first preseason victory.
The first period was very fast paced with 26 shots in total as Des Moines led the Lancers 16-10 in shots through the opening period. And with that, scored the lone goal of the first period on a breakaway by Ethan Fredericks off a feed from Landon MacDonald.
Both goaltenders stood tall in net through the first 20 minutes, as brand-new Lancers’ goaltender, Ben Behrens made 16 saves on 17 shots faced, and Buccaneers netminder Max Lundgren stopped all 10 shots put on him.
The second period brought more offensive power from both squads, but the Lancers were unable to find the back of the net.
The Lancers actually outshot the Buccaneers 12-10 in the middle frame, but Lundgren continued to be perfect between the pipes and shut down everything Omaha sent his way. Including closing out a 1:45 5-on-3 power-play in favor of the Lancers.
The Buccaneers’ special teams got to work netting a shorthanded and power-play goal in the second period.
After a turnover by Ben Behrens & Tucker Shedd, Connor Pelc found Anthony Ruklic for the give-and-go goal while down a man, followed by Lubomir Kupco smacking home a bouncing puck in the goal crease five minutes later while up a man, propelling Des Moines to a three goal after 40 minutes.
The third period of play consisted of a lot of back-and-forth play, but the only team to come out with a goal was Des Moines.
In the closing minute of the final period, Landon MacDonald found Connor Pelc open to bury a goal blocker side on Behrens to extend the Buccaneers lead to 4-0 with 57 seconds left in third period play. And with that 4-0 victory, propelled Des Moines to a 1-1-0-0 record and made the Lancers fall to 0-3-0-0 on the preseason stretch.
Lancers’ goaltender, Ben Behrens put on a show stopping 43 of 47 total shots faced, giving him a 0.915 save percentage on the night in his first game with Omaha.
The Lancers will be back in action for the second week of preseason games at home against the Tri-City Storm on September 15th. Puck drop is set for 7:05PM CST and can be caught on FloSports and Mixlr.
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