KEARNEY, NE – The Tri-City Storm dropped a 2-1 decision to the Omaha Lancers Saturday night at the Viaero Center in the organization’s final game of the 2023-2024 preseason. The Storm now looks ahead to the opening game of the 2023-2024 regular season against the Youngstown Phantoms on Wednesday, September 20th at the 2023 DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic. Tri-City will play games against the Phantoms and the Sioux Falls Stampede to begin the sixty-two-game regular season before returning home to the Viaero Center for the Home Opener against the Sioux City Musketeers on Friday, September 29th. Puck drop for Wednesday’s opening game of the regular season is scheduled for 6:30pm CT.
David Deputy netted a shorthanded goal just over four minutes into Saturday’s opening period to give the visiting Lancers a 1-0 advantage on the road against the Storm. Deputy’s goal was the only scoring play of the 1st period, and the Storm trailed by a goal entering the 2nd period. Tri-City outshot Omaha 10-7 in the 1st period.
Dallas Vieau scored Tri-City’s only goal of the matchup at 8:07 of the 2nd period. Vieau’s goal was his second of the preseason, and was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev and Alex Bales. Jamison Sluys provided a quick answer to Vieau’s goal, netting his third goal of the preseason two minutes later for Omaha. Gabe Kenne and Will Elger each assisted on the scoring play. Omaha outshot Tri-City 12-7 during the 2nd period.
Each team was unable to score during Saturday’s final period, and Omaha skated away with a 2-1 victory at the Viaero Center. The Lancers outshot the Storm 6-3 in the 3rd period, and 25-20 overall during the battle. Daniel Heroux dropped the game in goal for Tri-City after making 23 saves on 25 shots. Croix Kochendorfer collected the win in goal for the Lancers in a 19-save-on-20-shot-effort.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Wednesday, September 20th, in a neutral-site game against the Youngstown Phantoms at the 2023 DICK’s Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.
