OMAHA NE - The Omaha Lancers took on the Storm in their home opener of the 2022-23 campaign.
The first period opened with a flurry of Lancers scoring opportunities. Tri-City looking flat-footed in the first couple of minutes in the opening frame-Omaha took advantage with a Tanner Rowe tally making it 1-0 just 2:54 into the game.
However, the Lancers goal seemed to wake up Tri-City as the Storm tested Lancers netminder Michael Hrabal with a ton of high-quality scoring chances. Hrabal was sharp denying chance after chance; highlighted by a great save on a Tri-City odd-man rush with 13:02 left in the first.
Eventually the dam breaks for the Storm as Tri-City's Brock James finds the back of the net after a Lancer turnover.
The Storm were not done as Cam O'Neill scores the flukiest of goals deflecting one off of a Lancer in front of the net making it 2-1 Storm ending the opening frame.
In the second period; Tri-City picks up where it left off with a Kieran Cebrian goal; after a feed off the half boards. Cebrian was wide open in the slot to bury it; making it 3-1 Tri-City.
The Lancers would get in on the fun later in the second; with a tic-tac-toe powerplay goal coming from Charlie Lurie out in front after a terrific set up from Lancer forward Alex Bump, and defenseman Marcus Broberg.
Just seconds later Lancer forward Aleksi Kivioja found himself on an odd-man rush with fellow linemate Tanner Rowe. Kivioja elected to take the shot, and he scores; sending it by Storm net minder Karlis Mezsargs. Just like that, it's a tied game 3-3.
The second period continued with a plethora of penalties on both sides resulting in a lot of special teams play, but to no avail.
The third period had much tighter play from both sides. Neither team wanted to fall victim to a penalty. Yet penalties were called, forcing both teams to play with a defense first mentality. The third period was not enough to determine a winner; as they would go to overtime tied at three apiece.
Fans were treated to free hockey with three-on-three overtime play. Many chances on both sides, but both goaltenders stood tall denying everything shot their way.
A shootout was needed to determine who got the extra point in the league standings. And it was Tri-City who prevailed in the shootout, going 2 for 3, as the Lancers went scoreless. Which concluded the game in a "glorified tie", however Tri City gets the win nonetheless by the final score of 4-3.
The Lancers go to (1-0-1-1). Meanwhile the Storm improve to (3-0-0-0).
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow night at the Ice Box in Lincoln Nebraska, as they clash with their I-80 rivals; the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop is at 6:05PM CST. You can catch the game on Mixlr or on FloSports.
