Hockey: 48th minute dooms Lancers

For the first 47 minutes of play Wednesday night, neither the Omaha Lancers nor Waterloo Black Hawks could score a goal unless a power play was under way.

Then came the 48th minute and a 45-second stretch in which the Black Hawks scored a pair of full-strength goals that led to a 5-2 United States Hockey League victory over the Lancers.

Waterloo forwards J.T. Brown and Tyler Zepeda scored in that stretch that quieted the crowd of 2,656 at Civic Auditorium. The 6-9 Black Hawks' final goal came on an empty netter in the final three minutes.

Although it was just the third loss for his 15-3 team this season, Lancers coach Bliss Littler still was pleased with the overall effort from his players.

“For (about) 50 minutes I thought we controlled the play,” Littler said. “Waterloo played hard and they took advantage of their opportunities. I thought (goalie C.J.) Motte was the difference because he gave them opportunities.”

Motte stopped 33 of Omaha's 35 shots and got the strongest support from his defense in the teams' third meeting this season. The Lancers had more offensive opportunities in the first two periods than Waterloo — 26-14 — but didn't give up an even-strength goal the entire night.

The Lancers scored first. Forward Matt White became the first player in the USHL this season to get to the 30-point barrier when he popped in a rebound from the right side of the crease. The goal, on which Seth Ambroz and C.J. Ludwig received assists, came at 11:57 during the Lancers' second power-play opportunity.

White has the USHL's longest streak of scoring at least one point in a game — 14 — since 2005.

The Black Hawks quickly responded with their own power-play goal. Nick Sorkin broke free and beat Omaha goaltender Joe Phillippi in a one-on-one rush to tie the game 1-1 at 13:40.

Another power-play goal early in the second period gave Waterloo its first lead over Omaha of the season. Forward Brock Montpetit scored his sixth goal at 7:52 in another scrum around the Lancers' net.

It took the Lancers almost five minutes into the third period to get the equalizer, and it came on another power-play chance. Troy Power lit the lamp with his sixth goal at 4:31 — with assists going to Dakota Eveland and Dennis Brown — before Waterloo broke through for the two goals that sealed the victory.

The Lancers travel tonight for a 7:05 game at Des Moines before wrapping up the weekend on Saturday at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in their first game of the season against the Rough Riders.

Waterloo (6-9).............1 1 3—5

Omaha (15-3).................1 0 1—2

At Civic Auditorium

First period: 1, O, Matt White (Seth Ambroz, C.J. Ludwig), 11:57. 2, W, Nick Sorkin (Dan Sova, Nick Ebert), 13:40.

Second period: 3, W, Brock Montpetit (Sokin, Sova), 7:52.

Third period: 4, O, Troy Power (Dakota Eveland, Dennis Brown), 4:31. 5, W, J.T. Brown (Montpetit, Cody von Rueden), 12:43. 6, W, Tyler Zepeda (Alexander Jensen, 12:58. 7, W, Brown empty net (Montpetit), 17:25.

Shots on goal:

Waterloo...........7 7 11—25

Omaha.............16 10 9—35

Power plays: Waterloo 2 for 4; Omaha 2 for 4.

Penalties-minutes: Waterloo 4-8; Omaha 4-8.

Goalies: Waterloo, C.J. Motte (35 shots, 33 saves, 60:00). Omaha, Joe Phillippi (24 shots, 20 saves, 58:52).

Three stars: Lavin, Power, Eveland.

A: 2,656

• ICE CHIPS: The Lancers have moved the start time of their Dec. 5 game against Indiana to 3:05 p.m. to avoid a conflict with the Big 12 football championship game between Nebraska and Texas. Lancers officials also did that for the Nov. 21 game against Sioux Falls when the Huskers hosted Kansas State. ... The last two times Omaha and Waterloo met, the Lancers won 7-4. All three of Omaha's losses this season have been scores of 5-2.

Contact the writer:

444-1201, alexsdad@mail.com

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