KEARNEY, NE. – The Tri-City Storm blanked the Fargo Force by a final score of 3-0 Friday at the Viaero Center to take control of the top spot in the USHL’s league standings. With a record of 23-5-1-0 (47 Points), Tri-City now sits alone at the top of the league standings for the first time this season. The Storm returns to action Saturday night at the Viaero Center in another home game against the Force. Saturday’s game is “Concrete Cares” night, and the Storm will wear specialty jerseys in the matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.
Lleyton Roed netted his 14th goal of the season to give the Storm a 1-0 lead with less than three minutes to play in Friday’s 1st period. Roed’s goal was scored at 17:26 of the period and was assisted by Gavin Brindley and Victor Czerneckianair. Brindley’s assist was his ninth of the year and the assist by Czerneckianair was his 11th of the season. Tri-City outshot Fargo 15-5 in the 1st period and carried a one-goal lead into the 2nd period.
Kieran Cebrian scored his sixth goal of the season at 4:32 of the 2nd period to give Tri-City a 2-0 lead in the game. Cebrian’s goal was assisted by Dane Dowiak. The assist notched by Dowiak was his sixth of the year. With under three minutes left to play in Friday’s 2nd period, Ilya Nikolaev scored his ninth goal of the season to put Tri-City ahead by three goals. Nikolaev’s goal was scored at 17:08 of the period and was assisted by Jeremy Wilmer and John Druskinis. Wilmer’s assist was his team-leading 27th of the year. The assist by Druskinis was his third of the year. Tri-City outshot Fargo 11-3 in the 2nd period and led by three goals entering the 3rd period.
Each team was held off the scoreboard in the 3rd period and the Storm defeated the Force by a final score of 3-0. Arsenii Sergeev posted his league-leading fifth shutout of the season in the win. Sergeev turned away all 15 of Fargo’s shots in the game. Louden Hogg recorded the loss in goal for Fargo after making 25 saves on 28 shots. Fargo outshot Tri-City 7-2 in the 3rd period, but the Storm outshot the Force 28-15 in the matchup.
Arsenii Sergeev was named the 1st Star of the Game. Lleyton Roed and Kieran Cebrian recorded 2nd Star and 3rd Star honors, respectively. Friday’s home game at the Viaero Center was played in front of a crowd of 1,845.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Saturday, January 15th, in a home game against the Fargo Force. Puck drop for the game is set for 7:05pm CT. For the latest information regarding the Storm skate to www.StormHockey.com. #StormAhead
