Kearney, NE – The Tri-City Storm prepares for its regular-season opener after finishing the 2015 preseason with a 3-1-0 record, tied for the most wins of any Western Division team.
For the second straight week, the Storm’s pair of preseason games each came down to the wire; Tri-City fell by a goal Friday against Fargo before scoring four third period goals on Saturday to edge Sioux Falls by two tallies.
The Storm opens the 2015 campaign at home on Friday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. from the Viaero Event Center against the Omaha Lancers, featuring a special pregame barbeque outside the Viaero Event Center leading up to game time, presented by Viaero Wireless. The first 500 fans in the door get a free Storm t-shirt, also presented by Viaero Wireless.
Last Week:
Friday, September 18 vs. Fargo: Loss, 2-1 (game played in Lincoln)
Saturday September 19 vs. Sioux Falls: Win, 4-2 (game played in Lincoln)
Need to Know:
Labosky’s exhibition impression
Fourth-year Storm forward Dan Labosky finished the preseason with a team-leading six points in four games, tied for sixth in the USHL.
Labosky scored four points (3g, 1a) in the Storm’s first weekend of preseason games, and followed up with a pair of assists in his second weekend at the 2015 Fall Classic in Lincoln.
The 5-foot-7, 160-lb. scorer notched three multi-point games in exhibition contests, edging Carson Meyer (4p) and Jake Wahlin (4p) for the squad’s preseason points lead.
Defense holds strong
The Storm allowed two goals in each of its four preseason contests, outscoring opponents 13-8 during exhibition play.
Tri-City boasts two new goaltenders, Matthew Greenfield and Jake Kielly, who have replaced last season’s tandem of Alec Dillon and Jared Rutledge.
On the blue line, the Storm return Mattias Goransson, Tory Dello, Jason Krych, and Jack McNeely. Newcomers join the group, including Edmonton Oilers’ 2015 sixth-round draft pick John Marino, and Andrew Peski, a commit to the University of North Dakota who won the CCHL Top Prospect Award in 2014-15 with the Brockville Braves.
Tri-City surrendered 2.63 goals per game in 2014-15, best in the USHL.
Washe debuts
Playing in his first two games for Tri-City since being acquired by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, forward Paul Washe concluded his weekend with an assist and 12 penalty minutes.
The 16-year-old Washe is the youngest player on Tri-City and one of six players on the squad born in 1998.
Game Recaps:
Preseason Game 3 vs. Fargo: Late-game goals waved off, cost Storm, 2-1
The goal light went off twice in the final minute, but two Storm goals were waved off, igniting the Fargo Force to a one-goal victory.
First, Dan Labosky’s shot was ruled a goal by the goal judge, but referee Shawn MacFarlane immediately signaled no goal with 33 seconds remaining. About 15 seconds later, the goal light again went on after a scramble in front of the net, but, after a review, officials ruled the puck did not cross the goal line.
Wade Allison scored the lone Storm goal, his first of two weekend goals, assisted by Jake Wahlin and Paul Washe.
Wahlin finished with four points (2g, 2a) in the preseason, tied for second on Tri-City.
Preseason Game 4 vs. Sioux Falls: Tri-City erases two-goal deficit, 4-2
The Storm second line of Jake Wahlin, Alex Limoges, and Carson Meyer combined for a pair of goals, helping the Storm score four in the third to stun Sioux Falls.
Limoges started the third-period rally with Tri-City’s first goal, bringing the Storm with in one about five minutes into the third.
The goal came 63 seconds after Storm forward Bobby Kaiser fought Nolan Nicholas.
The flood gates remained open over the next 11 minutes, Wade Allison, Wahlin, and Meyer scored against Ales Stezka.
Jason Krych had an assist on the Wahlin’s game-winning tally, giving the returner a three preseason points (1g, 2a), best for Storm blue liners.
Netminder Jake Kielly won both of his preseason starts, finishing with 23 saves against Sioux Falls.
The game was a rematch of last season’s Western Division finals.
This Week:
Practice Schedule:
Monday, September 21, 2015:
Practice – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015:
Practice – 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015:
Practice – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 24, 2015:
Practice – 3:00 p.m.
Friday, September 25, 2015:
Game vs. Omaha (Viaero Event Center) – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, 2015:
Off Day
Sunday, September 27, 2015:
Off Day
Monday, September 28, 2015
Practice – 3:00 p.m.
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Tri-City kicks off the regular season on Friday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. against Omaha. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308-338-8011.