LAPPIN LEADS STORM OVER OMAHA, 4-3
Tri-City got three points from Nick Lappin, including game-winning goal
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
- Game Summary
KEARNEY, Neb. – Nick Lappin had his first-career three-point game in the USHL, scoring two goals and added one assist, to lead the Tri-City Storm to their first win against the Omaha Lancers since December 11, 2009, as the Storm beat the Lancers 4-3 on Tuesday night.
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| Storm goalie Christopher Holden has made 85 saves on 93 shots in the last two games played for Tri-City |
The win elevates the Storm (18-17-9, 45 pts) into a tie for sixth place in the Western Conference with the Des Moines Buccaneers.
Omaha (25-13-5, 55 pts – 2nd in Western Conference) scored the opening goal of the game at the 9:00 mark into the first period on Adam Chlapik’s fourth of the season.
However, five-minutes and 30-seconds later Tri-City’s Daniil Zharkov scored his fourth of the season from Brian Ward and Jason Binkley to tie the game in the first period.
In the second period, the Storm scored on their second power play of the game 6:59 into the period on Justin Henry’s first-career USHL goal from Andrew Dorantes and Lappin. Dorantes made the pass from the right-circle into the crease, where Henry banged in the puck for his first-point as well this season.
More than three-minutes after the Storm took the lead for the first time, Bryce Johnson scored his fifth of the season from Jonathan Liau and Aaron Ave.
The Storm would take back the lead at the 14:51 mark into the middle period on Lappin’s first goal of the night. Lappin won a right-circle faceoff to Murphy, who skated to the slot for quick shot on goal that was deflected by Kenny Brooks to the right-side of the net where Lappin scored his seventh of the season.
Lappin added an empty net goal with 1:05 remaining in regulation, which would stand as the game-winning goal. Omaha’s Nathan Widman added a late goal with 47-seconds left in the game for his first of the season.
Storm goalie Christopher Holden (8-6-4) picked up his first win against his former team making 37 saves on 40 shots, which included 17 saves in the third period. Meanwhile, John Keeney (14-7-2) made 17 saves on 20 shots in his first-career loss against the Storm.
Tri-City finished the game 1-for-2 on the power play, while going 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Tri-City will play the Sioux Falls Stampede on Friday and the Sioux City Musketeers on Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center. The Storm are currently three games into a season-high seven game home stand.
Notes: The Storm home record went to 12-5-5, and are now 14-0-1 when leading after the second period… Tri-City is 7-15-7 when allowing the first goal this season… The Storm also moved to 9-12-9 against Western Conference opponents this season… In two games, Dorantes has four (1g, 3a) of his eight points this season against the Lancers
SCORING SUMMARY
Period 1
Omaha - Adam Chlapik (Mark Miller) 9:00
Tri-City - Daniil Zharkov (Brian Ward, Jason Binkley) 14:30
Period 2
Tri-City - Justin Henry (powerplay) (Andrew Dorantes, Nick Lappin) 6:59
Omaha - Bryce Johnson (Jonathan Liau, Aaron Ave) 10:13
Tri-City - Nick Lappin (Kenny Brooks, Cody Murphy) 14:51
Period 3
Tri-City - Nick Lappin (emptynet) (Cody Murphy) 18:55
Omaha - Nathan Widman (Adam Chlapik, Ken Babinski) 19:17
Shots
Omaha – 14, 8, 18 – Total 40
Tri-City – 11, 8, 2 – Total 21
Saves
Omaha – John Keeney (Loss) 17 (20 shots)
Tri-City – Christopher Holden (Win) 37 (40 shots)
Power Play
Omaha – 0/4
Tri-City – 1/2