LINCOLN, Neb. – After the Tri-City Storm (2-4-2) defeated the Lincoln Stars (2-2-4) on opening night back on Sept. 28 in Kearney, Lincoln got the revenge they were seeking in the teams’ second battle of the season, knocking off Tri-City 6-1 at the Ice Box on Friday night.
Storm forward Joel L’Esperance scored his second goal of the season in defeat for Tri-City. The Brighton, Mich. native’s second goal in as many games was set up by Drew Mayer and Cutler Martin.
The Stars scored two goals in all three periods, taking control of the game early and never letting off the gas pedal, outshooting Tri-City 44-31.
Lincoln’s first goal was the lone power play tally of the night, scored by forward Luke Voltin. The Stars went up 2-0 with just 35 seconds remaining in the opening frame when Hunter Anderson scored his first goal of the season.
John Simonson and Tommy Marchin also registered goals for Lincoln before L’Esperance gave Tri-City some momentum late in the second period.
L’Esperance’s goal also gave Mayer his first point of the season, while Martin picked up his fourth assist of the year.
Tri-City had chances to get back in the game in the third, but were unable to convert on the power play, finishing the night 0-7 on the man-advantage.
Hayden Lavigne got his second start in net and made 20 saves on 23 shots before being pulled in favor of Jacob Johansson. The Stockholm, Sweden native made 18 saves on 21 shots while playing the final 33 minutes of the game.
The Storm now head to Omaha to face the Lancers for the first time this season at the Ralston Arena on Saturdaynight at 7:05 p.m. Tri-City will then return home to take on the Waterloo Black Hawks on October 30 at the Viaero Event Center, also at 7:05.
Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Nick Hutchison, Steven Haydon, Joey DiBenedetto and defenseman Sean Lang. Forward Ross Olsson was also scratched, serving a four-game suspension.…