KEARNEY, Neb. – Swedish goaltender Jacob Johansson didn’t disappoint in his first game for the Tri-City Storm, making 37 saves and coming up big late in the contest, a 2-1 shootout win at the Viaero Event Center on Saturday night.

Newcomers Robbie Payne and Chris Wilkie scored for the Storm in the shootout, sending the Kearney fans home happy with a win in their first game of the season.

Lincoln’s Jason Stephanik opened the scoring with a power play goal at 9:56 of the first, giving the Stars an early 1-0 lead.

The first period also saw two fights, as Steven Haydon went at it with Zach Frye and Robbie Payne battled Zack Pittman.

Tri-City evened the score in the second with a power play tally of their own on a deflection in front by Chase Berger. It was Berger’s first USHL goal and both Cutler Martin and Dan Labosky were credited with assists.

The goaltenders took it from there, not allowing any more scoring plays in either regulation or overtime. Johansson finished with 37 saves for Tri-City, while veteran Michael Bitzer stopped 30 pucks.

At the end of the third period a penalty shot was awarded to Stephanik with just 47 seconds remaining. As he moved in on Johansson the goaltender stood his ground and made a blocker save to force the game to overtime.

Garrett Gamez had the best opportunity for the Storm in the extra session, sending a shot off the crossbar that missed by inches.

The Storm went 2-for-2 in the shootout with goals from Payne and Wilkie before Johansson stopped Magnus Hoff in Lincoln’s final attempt.

Tri-City will stay in Kearney and host the Sioux City Musketeers for the first time this season on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.