KEARNEY, Neb. – Three unanswered third period goals helped the Tri-City Storm (32-14-6) defeat the Omaha Lancers (29-15-7) and move into first place in the USHL’s Western Conference with a 5-3 victory on Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center.
Storm captain Garrett Gamez led the way with four assists, while Nick Master scored his third goal of the weekend and Chris Wilkie notched his league leading 31st goal of the seson.
The Storm finished the season with a record of 4-2-2 against the Lancers, splitting the series with their in-state rival. After eight games played, each team had a total 205 shots on net.
Tri-City erased three Lancer leads in the game, and didn’t lead until 4:45 of the third period.
Omaha took their first advantage early on, getting an unassisted goal by Matthew Meier at 6:15 of the first.
The Storm responded when Nick Master scored his third goal of the weekend from Gamez and Christopher Brown at 15:10 to take a 1-1 game into the first intermission.
Steven Spinner game the Lancers their second lead at 7:30 of the second period, making it 2-1 on a rebound in front with assists from Meier and Ryan Donato.
Tri-City tied the game six minutes later on a goal by Vince Pedrie that hit off a Lancer skate in front and got past netminder Zach Driscoll. Gamez and Master were both rewarded with assists on the play.
But Omaha re-took the lead heading into the second intermission on a power play goal by Shane Gersich at 15:18 of the second period.
It was all Storm in the third, as Tri-City tied the game for the third time on a deflection by Chase Berger at 3:49 of the final period. Berger’s ninth goal of the season came from defenseman Kevin Kerr and forward Kyle Eastman.
Tory Dello gave the Storm a 4-3 lead less than a minute later, scoring his second goal of the season on a wrist shot that beat Driscoll low blocker side. Gamez found the Notre Dame commit for the first assist, while Wilkie earned the second helper on the go-ahead goal.
With their first lead all weekend, Tri-City got the insurance they needed from Wilkie at 11:18 of the third. The tally was the Omaha native’s fifth goal against his hometown team this season, which leads the team.
Gamez picked up his fourth first assist of the game on Wilkie’s strike, while Nick Master was credited with his third point of the evening with the second assist.
Storm goaltender Alec Dillon picked up the victory, making 25 saves in the win. The Victoria, B.C. native leads the USHL with a goals against average of 2.12, and has earned 21 victories in 36 appearances this season.
The Storm will have a chance to clinch a playoff berth next weekend when they host the Des Moines Buccaneers for two games in Kearney. Friday’sgame begins at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s starts at 7:05.
Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Mason Appleton and Nolan Aibel…
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
Omaha – Matthew Meier (unassisted) 6:15
Tri-City – Nick Master (Garrett Gamez, Christopher Brown) 15:10
2nd Period
Omaha – Steven Spinner (Ryan Donato, Matthew Meier) 7:30
Tri-City – Vince Pedrie (Garrett Gamez, Nick Master) 13:37
Omaha – Shane Gersich (power play) (Steven Spinner, Louie Rowe) 15:18
3rd Period
Tri-City – Chase Berger (Kevin Kerr, Kyle Eastman) 3:49
Tri-City – Tory Dello (Garrett Gamez, Chris Wilkie) 4:45
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Garrett Gamez, Nick Master) 11:18
PENALTIES
1st Period
Tri-City – Bench Minor – (Too Many Men), 2 min, 1:11
Omaha – Anthony Angello – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 3:11
2nd Period
Omaha – Jake Henderson – (Slashing), 2 min, 10:47
Tri-City – Jake Wahlin – (Tripping), 2 min, 14:52
Omaha – Steven Spinner – (Tripping), 2 min, 18:00
Tri-City – Conner Valesano – (Roughing), 4 min, 20:00
Omaha – Jake Henderson – (Roughing), 4 min, 20:00
3rd Period
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 12:30
Power Play
Omaha – 1/3
Tri-City – 0/3
Shots
Omaha: 8, 12, 8 = Total: 28
Tri-City: 8, 16, 4 = Total: 28
Saves
Omaha – Zach Driscoll – 23/28
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 25/28