Fargo Force 1 vs. Tri-City Storm 3
Alec Dillion made 23 saves as the Storm finished USHL Fall Classic West with a 2-0-0 record. Both goaltenders were unbeatable through the first period and a half as neither Dillion and Mathias Israelsson of Fargo allowed a goal. Mark Petaccio broke the scoreless tie with just over eight minutes to play in the second period, his second goal in as many days. Bobby Nardella made it a 2-0 lead less than three minutes later with his second goal of the weekend. Fargo would cut the lead in half late in the third period on a goal by Brody Stevens, but the Storm would hang on and seal with an empty goal by Jake Wahlin in the closing moments. Israelsson made 18 saves for the Force before Robbie Beydoun came on in relief in the second period and made 12 saves the rest of the way.
Lincoln Stars 2 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks 7
Jack Rowe and David Keefer each netted a pair of goals to lead the Lumberjacks to a victory and finish USHL Fall Classic West with a 2-0-0 record. Neither team could get on the scoreboard until late in the first period when the Lumberjacks caught fire and netted three goals in a span of 3:21. Chicago Blackhawks 2014 NHL Draft pick Matt Iacopelli started the scoring, followed by Rowe’s first of the night, and Steven Merl netting a goal just before the period expired. Muskegon remained hot in the second period as Rowe scored his second of the game just 16 seconds in, and Keefer got on the scoresheet less than two minutes later. Lincoln broke into the scoring column midway through the period on a goal by Michael Gillespie, but Keefer netted his second of the period a few moments later and the Lumberjacks went into the second intermission with a 6-1 lead. Dominick Sacco converted on the power play just 39 seconds into the final period, but the game would be out of reach and Cooper Marody put the finishing touches on the contest with a power play goal for Muskegon. Michael Latorella made 34 saves in net to record the win for Muskegon.
Omaha Lancers 9 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers 7
Shane Gersich recorded a hat trick as the Lancers finished their USHL Fall Classic Week with a wild victory. It was an offensive outburst for both teams which included four combined goals in the first period. Tyler Drevitch opened the scoring a little more than eight minutes for Des Moines but Gersich responded moments later to tie the contest. Troy Conzo quickly put the Bucs back up with a goal, and Brian Williams made it a 2-2 game heading into the first intermission with a late goal. Marcel Godbout gave Des Moines the lead again only 46 seconds into the middle frame, but Omaha had the answer only moments later with a Nick Rivera tally. The Lancers took their first lead when Louis Rowe buried a power play opportunity, but this time Des Moines responded when Tanner Karty scored shorthanded. Omaha would then score three straight as Gersich netted his second and both Hank Crone and Brendan Smith found the back of the net to make it 7-4 going into the second intermission. Des Moines came out firing in the third period as Ryan Dmowski scored 1:33 into the frame and Nikita Pavlychev tallied a goal four minutes later. Omaha then got consecutive power play goals as Gersich completed his hat trick and then Brian Williams scored late in regulation. Karty added his second of the night for Des Moines moments later, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Lancers collected the win. Omaha would finish the contest 6-of-8 on the power play.
Sioux Falls Stampede 4 vs. Sioux City Musketeers 2
Logan O’Connor had a three-point game (1g, 2a), including the game-winning goal, to lead the Stampede to victory and wrap up USHL Fall Classic Week. Sioux Falls wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Troy Loggins found the net just 1:37 after the opening faceoff. Will Graber then made it a 2-0 game midway through the period, but Sam Kurker cut the lead in half less than two minutes later for Sioux City. O’Connor made the lead two goals once again as he scored a goal only 21 seconds into the middle frame, and Tyler Nanne pushed the score to 4-1 only 1:29 later. Robert “Bobo” Carpenter converted on the power play later in the period, his second goal in as many nights for the Musketeers. That would complete the scoring as neither team could get one past the goaltenders in the final period of play. Art Brey made 36 saves in net to earn the victory for Sioux Falls.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 13th season as the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league in 2014-15. A record 35 players were chosen in the 2014 NHL Draft and more than 300 players on team rosters last season have committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League’s social media platforms, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/ushlhockey), twitter (www.twitter.com/ushl), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/ushlinteractive). Fans can also watch USHL action all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey (ushl.fasthockey.com).
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