KEARNEY, Neb. – Nick Master scored both the tying goal with under three minutes to go in the third period and the game-winner in overtime as the Tri-City Storm (28-12-6) defeated the Sioux City Musketeers (31-12-5) 4-3 on Friday night at the Viaero Event Center.
In addition to Master’s two tallies, Tri-City got goals from both Mason Appleton and Chris Wilkie, while Bobby Nardella registered three assists.
Robert Carpenter scored just 3:40 into the game for Sioux City to give the Musketeers a 1-0 lead early on in the opening period.
But Tri-City evened the game at 1-1 late in the frame when Appleton scored his 10th of the season, with assists from Alec Dillon and Nardella. For Dillon, the helper was his first of the season.
Sioux City re-took the lead in the middle frame on Adam Johnson’s 27th goal of the season, and had a 2-1 advantage with the game headed to the third period.
Just 1:04 into the final stanza, Wilkie scored his 27th of the year, to tie the game and bring new life to Tri-City. The Omaha native’s tally tied him with both Carpenter, Johnson and Waterloo’s Brock Boeser for the USHL goal scoring lead.
Assists on the tally went to Jake Wahlin and Christopher Brown. For Brown, it was his first Storm point in his first game after being acquired from Green Bay in a trade Monday.
Once again, the Musketeers went ahead on a goal by defenseman Ryan Zuhlsdorf, and had another one-goal edge at 3-2 less than halfway through the third.
As the minutes ticked down, the Storm continued to get chances. For the third time, Tri-City tied the game on Master’s 18th goal of the season at 17:12of the third. Assists on the goal were credited to Nardella and forward Matthew Freytag.
The late equalizer sent the game into overtime. In the extra session, Storm captain Garrett Gamez earned a shot on net off a rush that created a rebound in front. The loose puck hit Master and bounced in, winning the game for Tri-City. Nardella had the second assist on the goal, springing Gamez free for the rush.
The Storm outshot Sioux City 46-25 in the contest, including a 19-10 edge in the opening period and 14-6 in the middle frame.
Netminder Alec Dillon picked up the win, making 22 saves. Collin Olson suffered the loss in between the pipes for Sioux City, stopping 42 shots.
Tri-City is still in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 62 points, however they are now five points behind the Musketeers.
The teams will complete their six-game season series tomorrow night at the Viaero Event Center at 7:05 p.m.
Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Wade Allison and Kyle Eastman, along with defenseman Jason Krych…
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
Sioux City – Robert Carpenter (Neal Pionk) 3:40
Tri-City – Mason Appleton (Alec Dillon, Bobby Nardella) 17:05
2nd Period
Sioux City – Adam Johnson (Alex Rodriguez, Neal Pionk) 3:11
3rd Period
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Jake Wahlin, Christopher Brown) 1:04
Sioux City – Ryan Zuhlsdorf (Ryan Walker, Adam Johnson) 9:11
Tri-City – Nick Master (Bobby Nardella, Matthew Freytag) 17:12
Overtime
Tri-City – Nick Master (Garrett Gamez, Bobby Nardella) 0:52
PENALTIES
1st Period
Sioux City – Anthony Walsh – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) 3:24
Tri-City – Conner Valesano – (Elbowing), 2 min, 3:24
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 4:50
Sioux City – Alexandre Payusov – (Holding), 2 min, 7:50
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 18:57
Sioux City – Jake Durflinger – (Roughing), 2 min, 18:57
2nd Period
Tri-City – Kevin Kerr – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 10:19
3rd Period
Sioux City – Anthony Walsh – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 6:20
Overtime
(no penalties)
Power Play
Sioux City – 0/2
Tri-City – 0/2
Shots
Sioux City: 10, 6, 9, 0 = Total: 25
Tri-City: City: 19, 14, 11, 2 = Total: 46
Saves
Sioux City – Collin Olson – 42/46
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 22/25