LINCOLN, NE. – The Lancers woke up bright an early for an 11:00 AM puck drop at the Ice Box in Lincoln, Nebraska for the eighth matchup of the season with the Lincoln Stars. This past Friday, the Stars managed to steal a 3-2 win at Liberty First Credit Union Arena over Omaha to go ahead in the season-long series four games to three.
 
Lincoln still had a lot to play for coming into this morning as they currently sit two points out of the last playoff spot in the western conference, trailing the Des Moines Buccaneers in points, 53-51. But on top of that, the Lancers were trying to hold off the Stars, not just to try to take their playoff chances, but to even up the season series at four wins apiece.
 
The offensive fuel was there for both teams through the opening frame with the shot count sitting at 18-14 with the Stars leading. However, both netminders had all the answers as Omaha Goaltender, Kam Hendrickson and Lincoln's, Lucas Massie turned aside every puck they saw. Sending the game into the first break in a scoreless tie.
 
The second period brought more terrific back-and-forth hockey between the two clubs. But the Lancers were able to break the silence late in the period.
 
David Deputy came out of the penalty box after serving a cross-checking penalty, leading to a fast break. He got tripped up heading into the attacking zone, which triggered a delayed penalty, but was able to poke-check the loose puck to Will Elger.
 
Elger fielded the puck in the slot and roofed a wrist shot over the glove hand of Massie to send the Lancers into the second intermission up 1-0.
 
Lincoln added another 18 shots on goal, but Hendrickson continued to turn everything aside. As the Stars outshot the Lancers 36-22 through 40 minutes.
 
The Lancers outshot the Stars 13-10 in the final frame and managed to tack only an empty netter to seal the deal and take a 2-0 win. Nick Pierre would tip in a pass from Aleksi Kivioja for his 20^th goal of the season. The first time he has hit the 20-goal mark in his USHL career.
 
Kam Hendrickson played an incredible game, stopping 46 of 46 shots faced for his first shutout of his USHL career in just his second game played.
 
Lucas Massie had himself an incredible game as well even though he picked up the loss. 33 saves on 34 shots faced for a 0.971 save percentage.
 
The Lancers will be back at home on Friday, March 29^th for a 7:05PM puck drop against the Tri-City Storm. That game can be caught on FloSports and Mixlr.