DES MOINES, Ia. – A slow start came back to haunt the Tri-City Storm (9-6-3) on Wednesday night at Buccaneer Arena, as the Des Moines Buccaneers (10-6-2) hung on to win 4-3 and move back into second place in the Western Conference standings.
Storm forward Mason Appleton had a goal and an assist in the loss, while captain Garrett Gamez scored his seventh tally of the season and defenseman Mattias Goransson had his fourth of the year.
Des Moines scored the first goal of the game on a penalty shot by forward Nikita Pavlychev at 17:49 of the opening period and Tri-City went into the first intermission trailing 1-0.
The Bucs then increased their lead early on in the middle frame on a power play goal by forward Mark Petaccio at 3:05.
Goransson cut the lead to 2-1 at 5:29 of the second, scoring off a pass from defenseman Bobby Nardella on a rush. Forward Nick Master started the play, picking up the second assist by finding Nardella. The Rosemont, Ill. native found Goransson trailing the play for an open look at the net and the big man didn’t miss.
Less than two minutes after Goransson’s tally, Des Moines made it 3-1 on a goal by Joe Widmar at 6:45.
In the third, Tyler Drevitch extended the Bucs’ lead to 4-1 with his first goal of the season 3:57 in.
But Tri-City got a comeback going a few minutes later when Gamez found a loose puck in front for a power play tally to make it 4-2. Appleton and Nardella were credited with assists on the goal.
While a Tory Dello tripping penalty had the Storm down a man minutes later, defenseman Jalen Schulz found an opening and hit Appleton on a home run pass that sent the forward in on a breakaway. The Green Bay, Wis. native converted for the team’s second short-handed goal of the season and cut the lead to 4-3.
With the score holding up late in the game, Des Moines defenseman Patrik Kosh took a five-minute major penalty for slashing, giving the Storm a power play for 4:19, which was all that was left in regulation.
Although Tri-City had their chances, they couldn’t find the equalizer they were searching for and fell short by one goal.
Blake Weyrick got the start in between the pipes for the Storm and made 28 saves in the loss. Des Moines netminder Ryland Pashovitz earned the win for his team, making 33 saves.
After the Thanksgiving holiday, Tri-City will resume play in Omaha against the Lancers on Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. The Storm return to the Viaero Event Center on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in a matchup with the Lincoln Stars at 7:05.
Notes: The Storm scratched forward Chase Hatcher and defenseman Jason Krych. Chris Wilkie was also scratched, serving a one-game suspension…
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
Des Moines – Nikita Pavlychev (penalty shot) 17:49
2nd Period
Des Moines – Mark Petaccio (power play) (Ryan Dmowski, Corey Schueneman) 3:21
Tri-City – Mattias Goransson (Bobby Nardella, Nick Master) 5:29
Des Moines – Joe Widmar (Kyle Patava, Ryan Dmowski) 6:45
3rd Period
Des Moines – Tyler Drevitch (Brennan Sanford, Joe Widmar) 3:57
Tri-City – Garrett Gamez (power play) (Mason Appleton, Bobby Nardella) 6:51
Tri-City – Mason Appleton (short-handed) (Jalen Schulz) 10:38
PENALTIES
1st Period
Tri-City – Matthew Freytag – (Elbowing), 2 min, 10:11
Tri-City – Matthew Freytag – (Boarding), 2 min, 12:55
Des Moines – Kyle Patava – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 15:38
2nd Period
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Holding), 2 min, 2:04
Des Moines – Patrick Koch – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 7:22
Tri-City – Nolan Aibel – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 7:22
Tri-City – Kyle Eastman – (Roughing), 2 min, 7:22
Des Moines – Nikita Pavlychev – (Kneeing), 2 min, 15:30
3rd Period
Des Moines – Patrick Grasso – (Slashing), 2 min, 6:04
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Tripping), 2 min, 8:53
Des Moines – Patrik Kosh – (Slashing), 5 min, 15:41
Des Moines – Patrik Kosh – (Slashing) (Misconduct), 10 min, 15:41
Power Play
Tri-City – 1/4
Des Moines – 1/5
Shots
Tri-City: 6, 12, 18 = Total: 36
Des Moines: 13, 11, 8 = Total: 32
Saves
Tri-City – Blake Weyrick – 28/32
Des Moines – Ryland Pashovitz – 33/36