CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Erik Haula scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season in the game's opening five minutes, and the Omaha Lancers continued their road success Saturday night with a 5-3 win over Cedar Rapids in front of 1,902 at Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.
The Lancers improved to 8-1 in road games and a USHL-best 17-3 overall.
Camden Wojtala followed Haula's early goals with a score off assists from Tom Craig and Joe Lavin at 9:25 of the first period, giving the Lancers a 3-0 lead. Cedar Rapids then closed the gap to 3-2 before the first intermission with goals by Michael Parks and Jeff Costello.
But Omaha took control following the break and held a 12-6 advantage in shots in the second period. The Lancers capitalized on RoughRider penalties with power-play goals from Seth Ambroz and C.J. Ludwig, giving the visitors a 5-2 lead heading into the final session. Cedar Rapids (9-9-1) added a goal with an extra attacker late in the game to complete the scoring.
Haula also added an assist Saturday and earned the game's first star. Matt White had three assists, giving him six points in the last two contests and a team-best 37 on the season. Ludwig added a goal and an assist, each coming in the second period.
Four of the Lancers' next five games will be at the Civic Auditorium as they look to add to their league-best 34 points. Omaha begins its homestretch Friday night, when it plays host to East Division bottom-feeder Team USA at 7:05 p.m.
Omaha (17-3).............3 2 0—5
At Cedar Rapids (9-9-1)..............2 0 1—3
First period: 1, O, Erik Haula (Matt White), 1:45. 2, Haula (White, Aaron Ave), 1:45. 3, Camden Wojtala (Tom Craig, Joe Lavin), 9:25. 4, CR, Michael Parks (Peter Sakaris), 10:12. 5, CR, Jeff Costello (PP, Mac Bennett, Jayson Megna), 15:59.
Second period: 6, O, Seth Ambroz (PP, C.J. Ludwig, Lavin), 7:45. 7, O, Ludwig (PP, White, Haula), 17:31.
Third period: 8, CR, Eric Robinson (EA, Bennett, Cason Hohmann), 14:15.
Shots on goal:
Omaha.............14 12 5—31
Cedar Rapids............9 6 9—24
Power plays: Omaha 2 for 5; Cedar Rapids 2 for 5.
Penalties-minutes: Omaha 9-18; Cedar Rapids 9-18.
Goalies: Omaha, Jeff Teglia (24 shots, 21 saves, 60:00). Cedar Rapids, Matt Hemingway (8 shots, 5 saves, 9:25); Troy Grosenick (23 shots, 21 saves, 47:55).
Three stars: Haula, White, Ludwig.
A: 1,902.
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