OMAHA, Neb. – An early power play goal put the Omaha Lancers (20-3-2) in front for good as they defeated the Tri-City Storm (6-16-2) 3-1 at the Ralston Arena on Wednesday night.

The Storm got a tally late in the second period from Chris Wilkie, a native of Omaha, and 22 saves from goaltender Jacob Johansson to keep them alive in the until a late empty net goal.

A tripping penalty to Storm defenseman Jalen Schulz 1:02 into the game gave the Lancers a man-advantage and the USHL’s leading scorer made it count. Center Tyler Vesel found the back of the net for the 21st time at 1:49 of the opening frame and made it 1-0 Omaha.

The Lancers had multiple chances to extend the lead in the first frame, outshooting the Storm 8-5, but Tri-City kept it a one-goal game at the end of one.

But Luca Frigo found the back of the net a minute and nine seconds into the middle period and extended the Omaha lead to 2-0.

Wilkie put Tri-City on the board at 13:37 of the second, finding a loose rebound in front off a shot from defenseman Sean Lang. It was Wilkie’s first tally of the season in his hometown and Lang’s first point since joining the team in a trade from Muskegon on Oct. 24.

The Storm gained some momentum later in the second and worked hard in the third period but they couldn’t solve Lancers’ netminder Hayden Hawkey, who finished with 21 saves.

The final shot count was in favor of Omaha, 25-22.

An empty net goal by Ryan Tait sealed the win for the Lancers, their fifth over the Storm this season.

Tri-City now returns home for a weekend series with the Youngstown Phantoms. Friday’s game gets underway at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s will be an afternoon affair at 3:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Thomas Aldworth, Joey DiBenedetto and Patrick Curry, along with defenseman Cutler Martin.… 

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
Omaha – Tyler Vesel (power play) (Jake Randolph, Gage Hough) 1:49

2nd Period

Omaha – Luca Frigo (Jimmy Schuldt, Ryan Tait) 1:09
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Dan Labosky, Sean Lang) 13:37

3rd Period

Omaha – Ryan Tait (empty net) (Tyler Vesel) 19:10

PENALTIES

1st Period
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Tripping), 2 min, 1:02
Omaha – Nash Worden – (Hooking), 2 min, 5:40
Tri-City – Joel L’Esperance – (Slashing), 2 min, 9:53
Omaha – Louie Rowe – (Elbowing), 2 min, 12:27
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Holding), 2 min, 19:29
Omaha – Nash Worden – (Elbowing), 2 min, 19:29
Tri-City – Nick Hutchison – (Roughing), 2 min, 19:51
Omaha – Anthony Angello – (Roughing), 2 min, 19:51

2nd Period
Omaha – Matt Nelson – (Hooking), 2 min, 1:31
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Roughing), 2 min, 14:19
Tri-City – Nick Hutchison – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 19:26
Omaha – Gage Hough – (Hooking), 2 min, 19:47

3rd Period

Omaha – Zach Jordan – (Hooking), 2 min, 7:15
Omaha – Louie Rowe – (Too Many Men), 2 min, 10:56

Power Play

Tri-City – 0/6

Omaha – 1/4

Shots

Tri-City: 5, 9, 8 = Total: 22

Omaha: 8, 11, 6 = Total: 25

Saves

Tri-City – Jacob Johansson – 22/24

Omaha – Hayden Hawkey – 21/22