Hockey: Lancers earn victory in penalty-filled game

Although it was their third game in four days, the Omaha Lancers looked like the team with fresh legs in Saturday night's 5-2 USHL victory against Sioux Falls.

The Lancers built a 2-0 lead less than five minutes into the game, then scored three unanswered power-play goals in the second period after the Stampede had tied the game before a Civic Auditorium crowd of 4,231.

After Sioux Falls cut the lead to 2-1 late in the first period, the level of rough play began to elevate. The teams combined for 49 penalties resulting in a season-high 200 penalty minutes. The previous high was 193 Oct. 16 against Green Bay.

“We didn't like what was being called in the first period,” Lancers coach Bliss Littler said. “It looked like they were trying to rough up (Erik) Haula and (Matt) White, so Tom Craig came out for the second period and challenged every guy on the ice.

“They have pride, too, so they weren't going to back down. Being up three, our guys wanted to show they also had pride. I'm very proud of our team tonight.”

The coach also liked the way his team rebuilt the lead. The 38-12-6 Lancers — who are 9-0-3 in their last 12 games — took advantage of the Stampede's aggressive approach and scored those three power-play goals in slightly more than 12 minutes.

“The emotion we played with tonight was as well as we've played all year,” Littler said. “That was our third game in four days, and they were fresh. I don't think we looked tired at all.”

Craig again proved to be the emotional leader, and he also scored two points with a pair of assists. After the game, he was named the No. 1 player on the three stars list.

The 21-year-old forward from St. Louis came out to accept his award in a suit. Craig was ejected from the game just 1:52 after the second intermission for his participation in the third of four fights in the opening 1:56 of that period.

With four games remaining in the regular season, Omaha has clinched either a first- or second-place finish in the West Division for the fourth consecutive year. Saturday's win also secured home ice for a first-round series in the Clark Cup playoffs that begin in April.

Sioux Falls (28-14-11)................1 1 0—2
At Omaha (38-12-6)...................2 3 0—5

First period: 1, O, Seth Ambroz (C.J. Ludwig), 2:13. 2, O, Stefan Demopoulos (Tom Craig, Ryan Daugherty), 4:35. 3, SF, Chad Ruhwedel (Michael Voran, Matt Lindblad), 15:29 (pp).

Second period: 4, SF, Lindblad (Conor Allen, Mark Anthoine), 2:37 (pp). 5, O, Dakota Eveland (Justin Holl, Craig), 4:26 (pp). 6, O, Greg Wolfe (Erik Haula, Matt White), 13:31 (pp). 7, O, Troy Power (Nick Oddo, Holl), 16:32 (pp).

Third period: None.

Shots on goal:

Sioux Falls................13 7 9—29
At Omaha................7 12 12—31

Power plays: Sioux Falls 2 for 7; Omaha 3 for 7.

Penalties-minutes: Sioux Falls 24-95; Omaha 25-105.

Goalies: Sioux Falls, Clay Witt (31 shots, 26 saves, 60:00). Omaha, Jeff Teglia (29 shots, 27 saves, 60:00).

Three stars: Craig, Teglia, Eveland.

A: 4,231

Contact the writer:

444-1201, alexsdad@mail.com

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