OMAHA, NE. - The Omaha Lancers concluded their three-game weekend at Liberty First Credit Union Arena against the Sioux City Musketeers. The Lancers had come off a 5-1 loss last night to the Lincoln Stars, while the Musketeers had come off of back-to-back wins over the Tri-City Storm.
The first period had the ice tilted in Sioux City's favor for most of the period, as they looked to carry over their momentum from their past two wins this weekend.
Omaha goaltender Michael Hrabal would be up to the task stopping all Musketeer shots in the opening frame, which also included killing off two Lancer penalties.
The Lancers began to press in the ladder part of the first as they would eventually draw a penalty heading into the locker room with a scoreless tie.
The second period began with a Lancer powerplay, they were unable to capitalize however, and Sioux City would take the momentum from the penalty kill and utilize it throughout the second.
Later in the second period Lancer forward Reese Laubach would be accessed a goaltender interference call. Sioux City would take advantage on the man advantage, as forward Sam Deckhut would beat Hrabal top shelf in the slot making it a 1-0 Musketeer lead.
Shortly thereafter, forward Will Diamond would get accessed a "phantom" slashing call, and once again Sam Deckhut and the Musketeers would take advantage to stretch the lead on the ensuing powerplay 2-0 going into the third period of play.
The third period would be dominated by the Lancers, as Sioux City netminder Axel Mangbo would hold his ground.
However, late in the third period the dam would break, starting with forward Libor Nemec who would cash in off a feed from Reese Laubach to cut the deficit in half at 2-1.
Shortly thereafter, the Lancers would get yet another, this time from defenseman Chase Cheslock who has been an absolute stud since arriving in Omaha. Cheslock would wrist one from the point to tie it up at 2 apiece.
Overtime would commence, as Omaha would start with one man down after forward Nick Pierre would be accessed a goaltender interference penalty, the Lancers would kill it off, as from that point on Sioux City would be reeling.
The Lancers would only hope for a prolonged OT as Sioux City would noticeably kill clock to go to a shootout, as the Lancers were with all the momentum.
Unfortunately, after a hard fought battle from both sides, the game would be determined by a shootout where Sioux City would prevail with a final score of 3-2.
The Lancers are back in action Saturday night against the Waterloo Black Hawks at Young Arena in Waterloo puck drop is at 6:05 CST. You can catch the game on Mixlr or FloSports.
