KEARNEY, NE. – The Tri-City Storm dropped a home contest to the Lincoln Stars by a final score of 4-1 Friday night at the Viaero Center. Trevor Connelly scored the Storm’s lone goal in the loss. Tri-City will battle Lincoln tomorrow night at the Ice Box in a rematch of tonight’s game at the Viaero Center. Puck drop is set for 6:05pm CT.
Lincoln jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of Friday’s game. Keaton Peters notched his fourteenth goal of the season forty-four seconds into the rivalry matchup. Jared Mangan and Patrick Raftery each notched an assist on the scoring play. Doug Grimes netted his ninth goal of the year at 3:40 of Friday’s 1st period to give the Stars a two-goal lead. Tanner Ludtke and Antonio Fernandez each registered an assist on the scoring play. Lincoln was outshot by Tri-City 12-11 during Friday’s 1st period. The Storm trailed by a score of 2-0 entering the 2nd period.
Each team was held off the scoreboard during the 2nd period. The Storm outshot the Stars 6-5 in the middle period. Lincoln carried a 2-0 lead into Friday’s 3rd period.
Henry Nelson netted his third goal of the season less than one minute into the 3rd period to increase the Stars’ lead to three goals. Brennan Ali and Klavs Veinbergs each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tanner Ludtke scored for the sixteenth time this season at 4:57 of the final period to give Lincoln a 4-0 lead in the matchup. Mason Marcellus and Boston Buckberger each notched an assist on the scoring play. Trevor Connelly scored his sixth goal of the season at 14:57 of the 3rd period to bring Tri-City within three goals of Lincoln’s lead. Connelly’s goal was the final goal scored in Friday’s game, and the Storm dropped a 4-1 decision to the Stars. Lincoln outshot Tri-City 11-5 in the 3rd period, and 27-23 overall in the game.
Karlis Mezsargs dropped the game in net for Tri-City after making 23 saves on 27 shots in the loss. Cameron Whitehead collected the win in goal for the Stars after stopping 22 of the Storm’s 23 shots on net during the game. Tri-City dropped to 14-13-0-2 on the season in the 4-1 home loss to Lincoln. Attendance was 2,500 for the contest.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Saturday, January 14th, in a road game against the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop for the game is set for 6:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. #StormAhead
