KEARNEY, NE – The Tri-City Storm dropped an overtime decision to the Sioux City Musketeers Saturday night at the Viaero Center by a final score of 4-3. The Storm scored the game-tying goal with six seconds left in the 3rd period to force an overtime finish to the battle. Cameron O’Neill, Kieran Cebrian, and Dane Dowiak netted the Storm’s goals in the loss. Tri-City will return to action with three consecutive home games next weekend against the league-leading Fargo Force. Tickets to next weekend’s home games may be purchased online at www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8144.
Cameron O’Neill scored for the seventh time this season to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead at 11:51 of Saturday’s 1st period. The goal was assisted by Charlie Kinsman and Jacob Jeannette. Dylan Godbout provided an answer for the Musketeers with his thirteenth goal of the year minutes later. The goal was scored at 14:27 of the period, and was netted on the powerplay. Grant Slukynsky and Kaden Shahan registered assists on the scoring play. The Storm outshot the Musketeers 10-5 during the 1st period, and the 2nd period began in a 1-1 tie. Tri-City outshot Sioux City 12-2 during a scoreless 2nd period, and the Storm and the Musketeers entered Saturday’s 3rd period tied.
Kieran Cebrian netted a powerplay goal at 6:15 of the final period of regulation time to give the Storm a 2-1 advantage in the matchup. The goal was his thirteenth of the season, and was scored on the powerplay. Trevor Connelly recorded an assist on the scoring play. Less than one minute later, at 7:14 of the 3rd period, Ben Poitras notched his fourteenth goal of the season to bring the game to a 2-2 tie. Colin Kessler recorded an assist on the play. Kaden Shahan scored his thirteenth goal of the season with sixty-five seconds left to play in Saturday’s 3rd period to give the Musketeers a 3-2 advantage over the Storm. The goal was scored shorthanded, and was assisted by Sam Deckhut. Ben Poitras was penalized for a hooking infraction with less than two minutes to play to give Tri-City a powerplay. The Storm lifted goaltender Patriks Bērziņš with under one minute to play for an extra attacker in an attempt to tie the game. Dane Dowiak netted his eleventh goal of the season with a six-on-four advantage to bring the score to a 3-3 tie. Dowiak’s goal was scored at 19:54 of the 3rd period, and was assisted by Trevor Connelly. Tri-City was outshot 11-3 in the 3rd period, but forced an overtime finish with Dowiak’s late goal.
Ben Doran scored his twelfth goal of the season with less than two minutes to play in Saturday’s overtime period to seal the victory for the Musketeers. Tri-City outshot Sioux City 26-20 overall in the matchup. The Storm finished the game 2/5 on the powerplay, and 3/4 on the penalty kill.
Patriks Bērziņš recorded the overtime loss in net for Tri-City after stopping 16 of Sioux City’s 20 shots on net during the contest. Axel Mangbo notched the win in goal for the Musketeers after making 23 saves on 26 shots. Tri-City dropped to 26-17-3-3 in the overtime loss. The Storm now holds an 11-5-2-2 record in games played at the Viaero Center this season. Tri-City will host the Fargo Force for the first time this season next weekend in Kearney.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, March 24th, in a home game against the Fargo Force. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. #StormAhead
