Emotions Run High; Score Does Not for the Lancers
September 16, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Omaha Lancers News Release
The Lancers opened the preseason home opener this evening (9/15) at Liberty First Credit Union Arena against their Western Conference foe, the Tri-City Storm.
The first period had wide open play from both sides; creating a regular season level of intensity between both squads.
The lone goal of the first came from Storm’s Graham Gamache; with a shot from the point, Gamache deflects one past Lancer netminder Claudio Ardellini.
Shortly thereafter, Tri-City continues to sustain pressure with quality chances coming from all over the ice. Ardellini was having none of it. Just prior to the 11-minute mark of the first; Ardellini comes up with a spectacular save keeping the Lancers within one going into the second period.
The second period came with physicality and emotion from both sides.
Just under 11 minutes into the second frame Lancer forward Aleksi Kivioja got mixed up with Tri-City forward, Nick Roukounakis in front of the bench area. Both would be sent off for a fighting major and a 10-minute misconduct.
Following the fight on the in suing face-off, Lancer forward, Will Diamond dropped the gloves with Tri-City forward, August Falloon. Both would be sent off for the night being a “staged” fight.
The back-to-back fights seemed to give life to the Lancers; as a slashing penalty to Tri-City’s Joel Kjellberg gave the Lancers their second power play opportunity in which the Lancers capitalized on with a Andon Cerbone goal; coming with a beautiful feed from Lancer forward, Evan Werner tying the game at one.
The Storm would respond however, with a Seth Constance tally to make it a 2-1 Tri-City lead.
The Storm were not done, after Frank D’Ancona took a five-minute major head contact penalty late in the second; Tri-City’s Tanner Adams scores with a re-direct out in front, less than a minute into the power play closing out the second period with a Tri-City lead of 3-1 in spite of the Lancers outshooting Tri-City 14-9 in the second frame.
The third period had slower paced action after emotions running high throughout the night.
Tri-City continued to get on the scoreboard however, with another Tanner Adams tally to make it 4-1.
The Lancers trying to respond throughout; totaling 11 shots on goal in the third, but it was not enough as the Lancers fall short 4-1 to the Storm.
The Lancers fall to 0-4-0 in the preseason. Meanwhile the Tri-City Storm improve to 3-2-0.
The Lancers are back in preseason action tomorrow night (9/16) at the Ice Box against their arch rivals; the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop is at 7:05PM CST, and can be caught on FloSports and Mixlr.
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