Lancers Steal First Preseason Win Over Lincoln

September 16, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Omaha Lancers News Release

LINCOLN, NE. – The Lancers entered the Ice Box tonight (9/16) to take on the arch-rival Lincoln Stars in their fifth preseason contest of the year. And entering tonight 0-4-0-0 on the preseason stretch, the Lancers were looking for a big win on the road before hosting the Stars tomorrow afternoon (9/17).

The first period was some of the best offensive hockey the Lancers have played yet this preseason, putting up 11 shots on goal and had great puck movement in the offensive end.

Although they failed to get one by Cameron Whitehead, it was still a solid showing.

Defensively, the Lancers gave up 18 shots on goal, but Michael Hrabal stood tall for them all, sending the game into the first intermission locked at zero.

The second period looked a lot like the first, but Lincoln was able to strike first in this one. As Jared Mangan smacked a second opportunity shot passed the glove of Hrabal to take the 1-0 lead in which the Stars carried into the second intermission.

Hrabal still remained strong in net for Omaha, stopping 27 of 28 shots on goal through 40 minutes of play.

The Lancers managed to knot things up at one goal apiece early in the third, as Adam Cardona lobbed a shot down to the Lincoln defensive end where Matt Romer batted down the loose puck and sent a wrist shot over the blocker of Whitehead. That goal ended up being the one to force overtime.

The overtime period did not last long as Lincoln looked to have control in the offensive end to kick things off. That was, until Romer laid out Mason Marcellus, causing a crucial turnover for the Stars.

Vincent Salice moved the puck quickly to defenseman, Marcus Broberg who took the play all the way down the Lincoln goal line. There, he found Romer all along in the low slot, where he threaded the needle with a pass, leading to the game winning one-timer.

The Lancers walked out of the Ice Box with their first preseason victory. The game winner gave Romer a two-goal night, as well as issued both Broberg and Salice their first points of the preseason stretch.

Hrabal played a massive role in tonight’s victory, stopping 36 out of 37 shots faced, handing him a 0.973 save percentage on the evening.

The Lancers will be back in action tomorrow (9/17) for a 1:30PM CST puck drop back at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena Community Rink. The game is season ticket holders only, but can be caught on Mixlr.

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