OMAHA, NE. - The Omaha Lancers began their three-game weekend with the Sioux Falls Stampede on St. Patrick's Day. The Lancers had come off a disappointing weekend last week with the Lincoln Stars, but they would look to redeem themselves at Liberty First Credit Union Arena against the 'Herd.
The first period was controlled by Omaha throughout as they would outshoot Sioux Falls decisively in the opening frame.
The Lancers would eventually get a powerplay opportunity, and they would cash in on it, as forward Nick Pierre would find Libor Nemec behind the defense before for Nemec would one-touch pass it back door to a wide open Justin Stupka to make it 1-0 Omaha.
Sioux Falls would answer however, as forward Connor Pelc would shoot a rather harmless looking wrist shot from the top of the circle, but Lancer netminder Michael Hrabal would struggle to corral it, before forward Chris Pelosi would cash in to clean it up making it a tied game at one goal apiece going into the second.
The second period had a much sharper Sioux Falls team as they would press early on, however, Hrabal would be up to the task stopping all second period shots.
The Lancers would eventually get another powerplay opportunity, and once again they would score on it. Forward Griffin Jurecki would take a no-look pass from Vincent Salice before Jurecki would bury it, giving the Lancers a 2-1 lead heading into the third.
The third period had plenty of action on both ends of the ice as each team played desperate hockey to cap off a well-played game from both sides.
The scoring in the third would start with Omaha who would get yet another powerplay tally. This time the goal would come from forward Tanner Rowe to extend the Lancers' lead at 3-1.
Sioux Falls would look to respond as they would get a controversial no-goal call with the reason of it being a kicking motion as the puck would go off the skate of a Stampede player. Sioux Falls had a legitimate reason to be up in arms as they believed there was no distinct kicking motion, however, the skate angled to guide puck into the net making it a real up in the air type call.
Sioux Falls would make up for it however, as forward Isaac Gordon cashed in on a rebound to cut the deficit to within one.
Sioux Falls would run out of time however, as the Lancers were able to hold on in a hard fought 3-2 victory; going three of four on the powerplay.
The Lancers are back in action tomorrow night at the Ice Box in Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop is at 6:05 CST. You can catch the game on Mixlr or FloSports.
