KEARNEY, Neb. – The Omaha Lancers (24-6-4) got revenge on Friday night, defeating the Tri-City Storm (12-18-2) 5-3. The Lancers suffered a 2-1 loss on Wednesday at the hands of the Storm, their in-state rivals.

Storm forward Joel L’Esperance scored his team leading 18th goal, while also assisting on a tally by linemate Garrett Gamez. The third member of Tri-City’s top line, Chris Wilkie, made the most of a promotion in the lineup, picking up two assists.

After 19 minutes of scoreless hockey in the opening period, the Lancers broke through first when defenseman Connor Light got a puck through Storm netminder Jacob Johansson to make it 1-0 with exactly one minute remaining in the frame.

But Tri-City picked up an equalizer 29 seconds later and the teams headed into the locker room for the first intermission tied at 1-1. Dan Labosky scored the first of the night for the Storm, banging a puck past Lancers’ netminder Hayden Hawkey for his third goal of the season. The goal was set up by Labosky’s linemates Austin Poganski and Nolan Aibel.

The Storm had the momentum going into the intermission, but Omaha took it back in the opening minute of the second, when Tyler Vesel scored his league leading 26th goal to make it 2-1. Vesel capitalized on a rebound off a shot by defenseman Tucker Poolman and had his seventh tally against Tri-City this season.

Gage Hough found the back of the net at 7:16 of the second to push the Lancers’ lead to 3-1, before the Storm got themselves back in the game on a goal by L’Esperance.

The forward was in the perfect spot to find a rebound after Hawkey saved a shot attempt by Wilkie. Defenseman Kevin Kerr picked up the second assist on the goal.

The Storm had cut the lead to one goal, but Omaha responded just 22 seconds later. Defenseman Matt Nelson beat Johansson for his sixth goal of the season and the Lancers were ahead 4-2 and took their two-goal advantage to the third period.

Once again the Storm made a comeback bid, finding the back of the net at 2:26 of the final period. L’Esperance found Gamez on a rush and the Chino Hills, Calif. native made a beauty of a move to beat Hawkey for his third goal of the season.

Penalties cost Tri-City late in the game and the Lancers capitalized on a 5-on-3 advantage to make it 5-3. Hough got his team some much needed insurance at 8:07 of the third, scoring his second goal of the game and putting things out of reach for the Storm.

Omaha was 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Storm went scoreless in four man-advantage chances.

Hawkey made big saves to keep his team in the game and finished with 37 stops, as Tri-City outshot Omaha 40-30. Johansson made 25 saves for the Storm in the loss.

Tri-City is back in action on Saturday night as the Sioux Falls Stampede return to Kearney for a 7:05 p.m.game.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Christian Horn and Nick Hutchison, along with defensemen Cutler Martin and Nolan Gluchowski.…

SCORING SUMMARY 

1st Period
Omaha – Connor Light (Tyler Hynes) 19:00
Tri-City – Dan Labosky (Austin Poganski, Nolan Aibel) 19:29

2nd Period

Omaha – Tyler Vesel (Tucker Poolman) 0:38
Omaha – Gage Hough (Jake Randolph, Tyler Vesel) 7:16
Tri-City – Joel L’Esperance (Chris Wilkie, Kevin Kerr) 10:32
Omaha – Matt Nelson (Jake Henderson) 10:54

3rd Period

Tri-City – Garrett Gamez (Joel L’Esperance, Chris Wilkie) 2:26
Omaha – Gage Hough (power play)

PENALTIES

1st Period
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Hooking), 2 min, 1:44
Omaha – Anthony Angello – (Roughing), 2 min, 8:47
Omaha – Nash Worden – (Hooking), 2 min, 13:55

2nd Period
Omaha – Anthony Angello – (Head Contact), 2 min, 12:00

Omaha – Jimmy Schuldt – (Tripping), 2 min, 17:00

3rd Period
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Cross-Checking), 2 min, 6:34
Tri-City – Kevin Kerr – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 7:03
Omaha – Louie Rowe – (Roughing), 2 min, 10:22
Tri-City – Sean Lang – (Roughing), 2 min, 10:22
Tri-City – Drew Mayer – (Roughing), 2 min, 12:53
Tri-City – Patrick Curry – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 12:53
Omaha – Tyler Hynes – (Roughing), 2 min, 12:53

Power Play

Omaha – 1/4

Tri-City – 0/4

Shots

Omaha: 11, 13, 6 = Total: 30

Tri-City: 10, 16, 14 = Total: 40

Saves

Omaha – Hayden Hawkey – 37/40

Tri-City – Jacob Johansson – 25/30