Story by Tri-City Communications
The Tri-City Storm shocked the Des Moines Buccaneers with a goal during the final minute of Saturday’s showdown at Buccaneer Arena to lift the team to victory. The Storm defeated the Buccaneers by a final score of 4-3, following August Falloon’s team-leading sixth goal of the season with less than a minute to play. Tri-City improved to 6-2-0-0 in the victory, and returns home for back-to-back games at the Viaero Center next weekend. Friday’s battle against the Sioux Falls Stampede is set to begin at 7:05pm CT. Puck drop for Saturday’s contest against the Dubuque Fighting Saints is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. Tickets to each home game are still available, and may be purchased online by skating to www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144.
Luke Posthumus scored the first goal of his USHL career just over three minutes into Saturday’s opening period to give the Storm a 1-0 lead in the matchup. The goal was netted even strength, and was assisted by Carmelo Crandell. Vladislav Lukashevich scored his second goal of the year seventeen seconds later to increase the Storm’s lead to two goals. Luke Posthumus and Carmelo Crandell each notched an assist on the scoring play. Payton Nelson responded with his first goal of the year for the Buccaneers to cut into Tri-City’s lead at 8:35 of Saturday’s 1st period. The goal was netted even strength, and was assisted by Ben Kevan and Andrew Clarke. Cameron Briere scored his second goal of the season at 13:27 of the 1st period to give the Storm another two-goal advantage in the battle. Briere’s goal was scored even strength, and was assisted by Carmelo Crandell. An unassisted goal by Ben Kevan with less than fifteen seconds to play in Saturday’s 1st period brought Des Moines within one of Tri-City’s lead. Each team notched nine shots on net during the opening period, and the Storm carried a 3-2 advantage into the 2nd period.
The lone goal of the middle period was netted by Des Moines’ Lubomir Kupco with less than a minute to play. Owen Dyer recorded the lone assist on the scoring play. Kupco’s goal was his team-leading third of the season, and was netted at 19:39 of the period. Des Moines outshot Tri-City 10-8 during Saturday’s 2nd period, and the 3rd period began with a 3-3 score.
August Falloon scored his team-leading sixth goal of the year with thirty seconds to play in Saturday’s game to seal the Storm’s thrilling road victory. Falloon’s goal was the only scoring play of the final period. Trevor Connelly and Owen Beckner each notched an assist on the scoring play. The Buccaneers outshot the Storm 9-5 during the 3rd period, and 28-22 overall during the game.
Cameron Korpi improved to 6-0-0-0 on the season in goal for Tri-City following a 25-save-on-28-shot-performance. Adam Moller made 6 saves on 9 shots during the opening period of Saturday’s game for Des Moines, but was replaced in net by Ethan Dahlmeir for the 2nd and 3rd periods. Dahlmier recorded the loss in goal for the Buccaneers after making 12 saves on 13 shots.
The Storm’s powerplay finished the game 0/4, and Tri-City’s penalty kill was 3/3. August Falloon was named the 1st Star of the Game, with teammate Luke Posthumus collecting 2nd Star honors. Des Moines’ Ben Kevan was named the game’s 3rd Star. Tri-City improved to 6-2-0-0 overall, and 4-2-0-0 in games played against Western Conference competition in Saturday’s road victory.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, October 20th, in a home game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.