KEARNEY, Neb. – Alec Dillon stopped everything that came his way Friday night, leading the Tri-City Storm (3-1-0) to a 4-0 shutout win over the Chicago Steel (1-2-1) at the Viaero Event Center.

The Storm got goals from Cameron Spicer, Garrett Gamez, Chris Wilkie and Mason Appleton in the win. Dillon had 39 saves, picking up his first USHL shutout. In four appearances this season, Dillon has allowed just four goals.

Spicer opened the scoring at 11:54 of the first, sneaking into the offensive zone and taking a pass from forward Nick Master. The defenseman lifted the puck over Steel goaltender Cale Morris for his first USHL goal. Gamez was credited with the second assist on what ended up being the game-winning goal.

It was also Gamez who increased the Storm lead to 2-0 in the second, scoring off a great feed from defenseman Mattias Goransson. The team’s captain now has two goals and two assists in the team’s four games.

Later in the middle period, Wilkie made it 3-0, scoring on a wrist shot from the slot. Forward Jake Wahlin and defenseman Kevin Kerr picked up assists on the play and Tri-City was in control of the game after two frames.

Appleton added a tally in the third for his second goal of the season with assists to Matthew Freytag and Cody Milan.

Morris made 30 saves for Chicago in defeat, and Chicago outshot Tri-City 39-34 in the game.

The two teams will complete a weekend series on Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Aleksi Ainali and Wade Allison, along with defenseman Jason Krych. Defenseman Jalen Schulz was also scratched, serving the final night of three-game suspension…

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Tri-City – Cameron Spicer (Nick Master, Garrett Gamez) 11:54

2nd Period

Tri-City – Garrett Gamez (Mattias Goransson) 4:15
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Jake Wahlin, Kevin Kerr) 14:12

3rd Period

Tri-City – Mason Appleton (Matthew Freytag, Cody Milan) 7:24

PENALTIES

1st Period

Tri-City – Chase Hatcher – (Tripping), 2 min, 2:08
Chicago – Peter Tischke – (Holding), 2 min, 19:10
2nd Period

Tri-City – Kyle Eastman – (Fighting), 5 min, 3:02
Tri-City – Kyle Eastman – (Fighting) (Game Misconduct), 10 min, 3:02
Chicago – Peter Tischke – (Fighting), 5 min, 3:02
Chicago – Peter Tischke – (Fighting) (Game Misconduct), 10 min, 3:02
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 6:40

3rd Period

Tri-City – Jake Wahlin – (Roughing), 2 min, 3:06

Power Play

Chicago –0/3

Tri-City – 0/1

Shots

Chicago: 12, 9, 18, = Total: 39
Tri-City: 8, 14, 12, = Total: 34

Saves

Chicago – Cale Morris – 30/34
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 39/39