Omaha, NE. - The Omaha Lancers opened their two-game home stand with the Tri-City Storm at Liberty First Credit Union Arena Friday night. The Lancers were 1-5-0-1 against the Storm this season coming into tonight's contest, as they would try and alter that trend against a very skilled Tri-City club.
The first period would get off to a scoreless start, with neither team coming away with points.
The officiating however wanted to make some noise with some questionable calls throughout the opening frame, fortunately it would not cost the Lancers any goals against, but it would certainly render them from establishing any offense in the opening frame.
The second period would provide a lot more action, as it would open right away with a Lancer goal coming from forward Libor Nemec, who has been nothing short of spectacular since his arrival in Omaha a few weeks ago. Nemec would wrap it around to beat Tri-City netminder Patriks Berzins to make it 1-0 Omaha.
Shortly thereafter the Lancers would get a powerplay opportunity, and they would cash in on it. Libor Nemec would find forward and former Tri-City player Drew Montgomery to make it 2-0 Lancers.
However, referee Anthony Vikhter would decide to get "whistle happy" and start calling phantom penalties on both sides.
Ultimately, Tri-City would score on a powerplay opportunity of their own to cut the deficit in half, as forward Graham Gamache who has been a thorn in Omaha's side all season, makes it 2-1 going into the third period.
The third period would come, and the Lancers finished strong.
Early in the third Tri-City forward Nick Roukounakis would collide with Lancer forward Alex Bump on the end boards, before Roukounakis would go down in pain, appearing to be a lower body injury, and he would not return.
Omaha would limit Tri-City's scoring opportunities throughout, before forward Reese Laubach would find the back of the net, as he would go top shelf, as Laubach would show why he has the most accurate wrist shot in the league.
Shortly thereafter, Tri-City bench boss Anthony Noreen would pull the goalie, and the Lancers would cash in as forward Griffin Jurecki would launch a 200-footer down the ice to seal it with a 4-1 Omaha victory.
We at Lancer nation want to send our thoughts and prayers to Nick Roukounakis, and wish him a speedy recovery.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow night against this same Tri-City club at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. Puck drop is at 6:05 CST. You can catch the game on Mixlr or FloSports.
