KEARNEY – The Tri-City Storm completed a two-game weekend sweep of the Lincoln Stars Saturday night at the Viaero Center to close out play in the 2022-2023 regular season. Alex Bales, Brock James, Tanner Adams, Evan Werner, and August Falloon all netted goals for Tri-City in the victory. The Storm will now host the Sioux City Musketeers in a Best-Of-Three series in the opening round of the 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs at the Viaero Center. Tri-City will host Game #1 on Monday, Game #2 on Tuesday, and if necessary, Game #3 on Wednesday in Kearney. Playoff tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased online at www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8144. Puck drop for all three first round playoff games is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.
Alex Bales scored the first goal of his USHL career at 6:17 of Saturday’s 1st period to give the Storm a 1-0 lead in the rivalry battle. Artemi Nizameyev and Philippe Blais-Savoie each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Brock James scored his fourth goal of the year at 7:29 of the opening period to give Tri-City a two-goal advantage. Dallas Vieau and Seth Constance each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Vieau’s assist, was the first assist, and first point, of his USHL career. The Storm was outshot 13-10 in the 1st period, but carried a 2-0 lead into the middle period.
Daniel Sambuco notched his eleventh goal of the season for the Stars at 3:31 of the 2nd period to cut the Storm’s lead in half. The Storm responded with a quick goal from Tanner Adams, his twelfth of the season. Adam’s goal was assisted by Kieran Cebrian, and Shaun McEwen, and was scored at 4:53 of the period. Evan Werner scored a powerplay goal for the Storm at 7:15 of the 2nd period to increase Tri-City’s lead to 4-1. Tanner Adams, and Shaun McEwen each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tyler Dunbar scored the final goal of Saturday’s 2ndperiod with less than four minutes to play to cut into the Storm’s lead. Dunbar’s goal was his fifth of the year, and was assisted by Jack Larrigan. The goal was scored on the powerplay. Tri-City outshot Lincoln 12-9 during the 2nd period, and carried a two-goal advantage into the final period of the regular season.
Dashel Oliver opened the scoring in Saturday’s 3rd period with his seventh goal of the season at 8:21 of the period. Tyler Dunbar registered an assist on the scoring play. Lincoln elected to pull goaltender Lucas Massie for an extra attacker in the game’s final moments, and surrendered an empty net goal to August Falloon. Falloon’s goal was his fourteenth of the year, and was netted with less than a minute to play. Jacob Jeannette and Shaun McEwen each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City skated away with a 5-3 home win, and finished the regular season with a final overall record of 34-20-4-4. The Storm was outshot 11-8 in the 3rd period, and 33-30 overall in the matchup.
Patriks Bērziņš picked up the win in goal for Tri-City after making 30 saves on 33 Stars shots. Lucas Massie dropped the game in goal for Lincoln after making 25 saves on 29 shots. Saturday’s Fan Appreciation Night and Boy Scout Night game was played in front of a crowd of 2,931 at the Viaero Center in Kearney.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Monday, April 24th, in a home game against the Sioux City Musketeers in the opening round of the Clark Cup Playoffs. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for playoff tickets, and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.
