KEARNEY, Neb. – The first Clark Cup Playoff game at the Viaero Event Center in five years did not disappoint. The Tri-City Storm scored their only three goals of the night in the third period to erase a deficit and down the Omaha Lancers 3-2, taking a 2-0 series lead in their Western Conference Semifinal Thursday night.
Storm third period goals were scored by Kevin Kerr, Mason Appleton and Dan Labosky. Labosky’s first career playoff tally put Tri-City in front for the first time all night with just 1:05 remaining in the game.
Down 2-0 entering the final frame, Kerr got his team on the board 4:30 into the period with a top-shelf shot off a rebound with assists from Nick Master and Chris Wilkie.
Tri-City got the equalizing goal after a penalty for too many men on the Lancers. Just 11 seconds into the ensuing power play, Appleton banged home a rebound off a blast from the point by Wilkie. Defenseman Bobby Nardella earned the second assist on the tying goal, which came with just 3:14 to go.
Labosky’s final goal came off a pass from Kerr, who moved down the left wing and centered the puck between the circles for the Edina, Minn. native. Forward Wade Allison picked up the second assist on the goal.
Storm goaltender Alec Dillon was credited with the win, making 17 saves. Tri-City allowed just one shot on net during the third period.
The comeback came after Omaha had scored a power play goal in each of the first two frames.
The only goal in the opening period went to Jimmy Schuldt. The defenseman knocked a puck out of the air to keep it in the offensive zone on the blue line before taking a backhand shot that got deflected past Dillon.
The Lancers added their second power play goal of the game in the middle period when Ryan Donato’s backhand found its way past Dillon with just two seconds remaining in a man-advantage opportunity.
Omaha netminder Kris Oldham stopped 34 shots for Omaha in the loss, as Tri-City outshot the Lancers 37-19 in the game.
The Western Conference Semifinal series continues on Saturday with Game 3 from Kearney at the Viaero Event Center. Game time is at 7:05 p.m.