KEARNEY, Neb. – Wade Allison had a goal and two assists as the Tri-City Storm (36-16-6) closed out the regular season at the Viaero Event Center with a 4-1 win over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (38-20-0) in front of a sellout crowd of 3,946.

Forward Conner Valesano and defenseman Mattias Goransson each had a goal and an assist in the victory, while goaltender Jared Rutledge made 30 saves.

With the win, Tri-City has secured a home ice advantage for the first round of the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs.

Valesano scored his fourth of the season to get the Storm an early lead at 6:06 of the opening period. Assists on the goal went to forward Kyle Eastman and defenseman Vince Pedrie.

Tri-City pushed the lead to 2-0 in the middle period when Mattias Goransson scored his seventh tally of the season on the power play at 12:52. Allison found Goransson with a pass, and the defenseman blasted a shot through a screen by Chase Berger and past Cedar Rapids’ goaltender Ryan Larkin. Defenseman Tory Dello was credited with the second assist on the play.

Then in the final period, Allison gave the team the insurance they were searching for, turning on his jets and beating a couple RoughRiders defenseman out wide before taking the puck to the net and shooting one under Larkin to make it 3-0.

Cedar Rapids pulled Larkin in favor of an extra attacker to try and get back in the game late. They succeeded at first when Ross Colton ended Rutledge’s shutout bit, but Dan Labosky scored an empty netter to seal the win with just over a minute to play.

Labosky’s final tally was assisted by Berger and Allison.

Tri-City is currently in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 78 points.

The Storm will finish the regular season schedule on the road next weekend, taking on Dubuque and Des Moines. Friday’s game with the Fighting Saints starts at 7:35 p.m., while Saturday’s contest with the Buccaneers starts at 7:05.

Only one point behind first place Sioux City, Tri-City can win the Western Conference regular season title with wins in both road games next weekend.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Nick Master and Nolan Aibel…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Conner Valesano (Kyle Eastman, Vince Pedrie) 6:06

2nd Period

Tri-City – Mattias Goransson (Wade Allison, Tory Dello) 12:52

 

3rd Period
Tri-City – Wade Allison (Conner Valesano, Mattias Goransson) 13:18
Cedar Rapids – Ross Colton (extra attacker) (Cal Burke) 17:46
Tri-City – Dan Labosky (empty net) (Chase Berger, Wade Allison) 18:48

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Slashing), 2 min, 6:44

2nd Period
Cedar Rapids – Aaron Thow – (Holding), 2 min, 12:33

3rd Period
Cedar Rapids – Aaron Thow – (Interference), 2 min, 2:56

Power Play

Cedar Rapids – 0/1

Tri-City – 1/2

Shots

Cedar Rapids: 12, 6, 13 = Total: 31
Tri-City: 9, 9, 8 = Total: 26

Saves
Cedar Rapids – Ryan Larkin – 22/25
Tri-City – Jared Rutledge – 30/31

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm (35-16-6) outlasted a late comeback by the Sioux Falls Stampede (31-21-5) and held on for their first victory in the new Denny Sanford Premier Center, winning 7-6 on Friday night.

Forwards Chris Wilkie and Wade Allison each had two goals for Tri-City, while Jake Wahlin, Bobby Nardella and Mason Appleton also scored in the win.

Wilkie now leads the USHL with 34 goals this season. Appleton also had three assists, finishing the night with four points. For Allison, it was his first career multi-goal game.

The Storm had a quick start in the first period when Allison scored 4:05 in, and Tri-City built a 3-0 lead before the first intermission.

The Myrtle, Man. native scored off a face-off win by Chase Berger, putting the puck high glove side on Stampede goalie Arthur Brey.

Later in the frame, Wahlin made it 2-0 with a power play goal from Appleton and Gamez. It was the forward’s 13th tally of the year in his first USHL season.

Nardella extended the lead in the final minute of the first, scoring with 29 seconds to go on a slap shot.

Sioux Falls started the second period with Stefanos Lekkas in between the pipes. Brey finished with four saves through 20 minutes.

The Storm scored twice in the middle period on goals by Appleton and Wilkie, and led 5-1 after two. Clint Lewis had the lone Stampede goal through 40 minutes.

Wilkie’s goal came with 11 seconds remaining in the frame. The North Dakota commit leads the team with 52 points this season.

With a quick start in the third, Tri-City pushed their lead to 7-1 on Allison and Wilkie’s second goals of the game.

Allison found the back of the net on a rebound after an initial shot by Dan Labosky. Berger was credited with the second assist. Then Wilkie scored on the power play from Wahlin and Nardella.

But Sioux Falls didn’t give up, scoring five straight goals to get back in the game at 7-6.

Mikey Eyssimont had the first strike at 6:39 of the final period. Then Dakota Joshua scored at 12:40, to start a run of three Stampede goals in under a minute. The next two tallies went to Parker Tuomie, and it was a 7-5 game with less than seven minutes remaining.

Collin Peters got the home team within one goal at 15:15, but Tri-City was able to shut the door to get a one-goal victory.

Storm goalie Alec Dillon got the victory, making 29 saves in the win.

Tri-City is currently in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 76 points. Three games remain in the regular season and the team has clinched a spot in the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs.

The Storm return to Kearney for their final home game of the regular season and Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday against Cedar Rapids at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Nick Master and Nolan Aibel, along with defenseman Jason Krych…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Wade Allison (Chase Berger) 4:05
Tri-City – Jake Wahlin (power play) (Mason Appleton, Garrett Gamez) 16:46
Tri-City – Bobby Nardella (Mason Appleton, Garrett Gamez) 19:31

2nd Period

Sioux Falls – Clint Lewis (Cooper Marody, Kieffer Bellows) 4:29
Tri-City – Mason Appleton (power play) (Chris Wilkie, Bobby Nardella) 14:38
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (Mason Appleton) 19:49

 

3rd Period
Tri-City – Wade Allison (Daniel Labosky, Chase Berger) 2:22
Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (power play) (Jake Wahlin, Bobby Nardella) 4:14
Sioux Falls – Mikey Eyssimont (Dakota Joshua, Clint Lewis) 6:39
Sioux Falls – Dakota Joshua (Mikey Eyssimont) 12:40
Sioux Falls – Parker Tuomie (unassisted) 12:50
Sioux Falls – Parker Tuomie (unassisted) 13:06
Sioux Falls – Collin Peters (Trey Bradley, Parker Tuomie) 15:15

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Kyle Eastman – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 0:51
Sioux Falls – Clint Lewis – (Tripping), 2 min, 15:40
Tri-City – Conner Valesano – (Roughing), 2 min, 20:00

2nd Period
Sioux Falls – Matt Nuttle – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 14:10

3rd Period
Sioux Falls – Daniel Warpecha – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 3:27
Sioux Falls – Logan O’Connor – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 10:29
Sioux Falls – Kieffer Bellows – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 10:29
Sioux Falls – Cooper Marody – (Roughing), 2 min, 10:29
Tri-City – Joel Herbert – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 10:29
Tri-City – Tory Dello – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 10:29
Sioux Falls – Dakota Joshua – (Unsportsmanlike Conduct), 2 min, 19:14
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – (Roughing), 2 min, 20:00

Power Play

Tri-City – 3/5

Sioux Falls – 0/2

Shots

Tri-City: 7, 13, 13 = Total: 33
Sioux Falls: 10, 10, 15 = Total: 35

Saves
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 29/35
Sioux Falls – Arthur Brey – 4/7, Stefanos Lekkas – 22/26

KEARNEY, Neb. – A pair of Fargo Force (25-26-6) forwards  scored their first goals of the season to defeat the Tri-City Storm (34-16-6) 2-1 at the Viaero Event Center on Friday night. The Force swept the weekend series with Tri-City, and claimed the season series three games to one.

Chris Wilkie had the lone goal for Tri-City in the loss on the power play, while Alec Dillon was on his toes all night, making 38 saves to keep his team in the game the whole way.

With the only assist on Wilkie’s goal, Storm defenseman Bobby Nardella broke the single season record for assists and points by a Tri-City blueliner, set by Chris Nathe during the 2002-03 season. The Notre Dame commit now has 29 assists and 38 points through 53 games on the year.

The Force opened the scoring just 4:38 into the game when Michael Babcock scored his first of the year, forcing a rebound past the goal line during a Fargo power play.

Wilkie got Tri-City even with his 32nd of the year at 13:56 of the middle frame, also on the power play. The forward’s goal total currently leads the USHL, as does his 15 man-advantage tallies.

But the game stayed tied at 1-1 through the rest of the second period and most of the third until Force forward Kyle Sylvester broke the tie with just2:18 left on the clock.

The Force outshot the Storm 40-27 in the game, with winning goaltender Robbie Beydoun making 25 saves in the victory.

Tri-City is currently in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 74 points. Four games remain in the regular season and the Storm have clinched a spot in the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs.

The Storm are back in action on Friday night in Sioux Falls, facing the Stampede at 7:05 p.m. They will complete their home schedule the following evening against Cedar Rapids at the Viaero Event Center at 7:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Kyle Eastman and Nolan Aibel, along with defensemen Tory Dello and Mattias Goransson…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Fargo – Denis Smirnov (power play) (Michael Babcock, Mason Morelli) 4:38

2nd Period

Tri-City – Chris Wilkie (power play) (Bobby Nardella) 13:56

 

3rd Period
Fargo – Kyle Sylvester (CJ Hayes, TJ Roo) 17:42

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 3:49
Fargo – Michael Babcock – (Interference), 2 min, 9:07
Fargo – Justin Baudry – (Roughing), 2 min, 9:07
Tri-City – Conner Valesano – (Roughing), 2 min, 9:07
Fargo – Austin Pooley – (Broken Stick), 2 min, 9:13

2nd Period
Fargo – Tim Faulkner – (Roughing), 2 min, 1:06
Fargo – Mason Morelli – (Slashing), 2 min, 7:17
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Roughing), 4 min, 7:17
Fargo – Tim Faulkner – (Roughing), 4 min, 7:17
Fargo – Tim Faulkner – (Continuing Altercation) (Misconduct), 10 min, 7:17
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Continuing Altercation) (Misconduct), 10 min, 7:17
Fargo – Jake McLaughlin – (High Sticking), 2 min, 12:26
Fargo – Jake McLaughlin – (Roughing), 2 min, 12:26
Fargo – Jake McLaughlin – (Continuing Altercation) (Misconduct), 10 min, 12:26
Tri-City – Mason Appleton – (Roughing), 2 min, 12:26
Tri-City – Mason Appleton – (Continuing Altercation) (Misconduct), 10 min, 12:26
Tri-City – Conner Valesano – (Cross Checking), 2 min, 15:08

3rd Period
(no penalties)

Power Play

Fargo – 1/2

Tri-City – 1/5

Shots

Fargo: 18, 8, 14 = Total: 40
Tri-City: 10, 13, 4 = Total: 27

Saves
Fargo – Robbie Beydoun – 26/27
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 38/40

KEARNEY, Neb. – Zach Yon scored twice and the Fargo Force (24-26-6) used a three-goal second period to defeat the Tri-City Storm (34-15-6) 4-2 at the Viaero Event Center on Friday night.

Kevin Kerr had a goal and an assist in the loss for Tri-City, while Garrett Gamez scored a short-handed goal for his 15th tally of the season.

After a scoreless first period in which the Storm outshot Fargo 12-8, Yon made it 1-0 at 7:04 of the middle period with assists from Justin Baudry and Brody Stevens.

Yon then notched his second of the game eight minutes later at 15:11 on the power play to put Fargo ahead 2-0. The tally was set up by a perfect passing play which gave Denis Smirnov and Alec Marsh assists on the goal.

With time running out in the second period and the Storm on a power play, Fargo forward Dixon Bowen raced into the Tri-City end on a breakaway. Bowen was taken down on the play and awarded a penalty shot. The forward converted with a wrist shot over Storm netminder Alec Dillon’s glove to give the Force a 3-0 lead at the end of the middle period.
Tri-City mounted a comeback in the third, starting when Kerr scored on the power play just 1:10 into the final frame. Kerr’s shot found the back of the net after a cross-ice feed from forward Cody Milan found him open at the left point. Chase Berger, who provided the screen in front on the goal, was awarded the second assist on the play.

With less than six minutes remaining in regulation, Gamez found the back of the net late in a Fargo power play on a rebound in front to make it 3-2. The initial shot was taken by Mason Appleton, who was led in to the offensive zone by Kerr. The multi-point game was Kerr’s second in his past three games and sixth of the season.

Fargo goaltender Mathias Israelsson made 39 saves to earn the victory, while Dillon stopped 23 shots in the loss for Tri-City. The Storm outshot Fargo 41-27 in the game.

Tri-City is currently in second place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 74 points. Five games remain in the regular season and the Storm have clinched a spot in the USHL’s Clark Cup Playoffs.

The Storm and Force will finish their four-game season series in Kearney on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Wade Allison and Joel Herbert, along with defensemen Tory Dello and Mattias Goransson…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
(no scoring)

2nd Period

Fargo – Zach Yon (unassisted) 7:04
Fargo – Zach Yon (Denis Smirnov, Alec Marsh) 15:11
Fargo – Dixon Bowen (penalty shot) 19:59

 

3rd Period
Tri-City – Kevin Kerr (power play) (Cody Milan, Chase Berger) 1:10
Tri-City – Garrett Gamez (short-handed) (Mason Appleton, Kevin Kerr) 14:26
Fargo – Alec Marsh (empty net) (Denis Smirnov, Mathias Israelsson) 19:01

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
(no penalties)

2nd Period
Fargo – CJ Hayes – (High Sticking), 2 min, 2:22
Tri-City – Nick Master – (Hooking), 2 min, 14:08
Fargo – Chuck Bennis – (Abuse of Officials) (Misconduct), 10 min, 15:47
Fargo – Byron Pool – (Abuse of Officials) (Game Ejection), 10 min, 15:47
Fargo – Sean Mostrom – (Roughing) (Double Minor), 4 min, 16:22
Tri-City – Mason Appleton – (Roughing) (Double Minor), 4 min, 16:22
Fargo – Christian Cakebread – (Boarding), 2 min, 19:07

3rd Period
Fargo – Jake McLaughlin – (Hooking), 2 min, 11:58
Tri-City – Bobby Nardella – (Hooking), 2 min, 12:30

Power Play

Fargo – 1/2

Tri-City – 1/3

Shots

Fargo: 8, 11, 8 = Total: 27
Tri-City: 12, 9, 20 = Total: 41

Saves
Fargo – Mathias Israelsson – 39/41
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 23/26

KEARNEY, Neb. –11 former Tri-City Storm players will represent eight different schools in the 2015 NCAA men’s ice hockey tournament this weekend, attempting to move on to this year’s Frozen Four in Boston on April 9.

Tri-City is well represented on two of the No. 1 seeds in North Dakota and Miami. Austin Poganski (2013-14) and Andrew Panzarella (2009-10) will be in the lineup for the Fighting Sioux, while Chris Joyaux (2009-11), Cody Murphy (2009-11) and Blake Coleman (2009-10) are on the roster for the RedHawks.

Murphy has had a big year with Miami in his senior season, scoring 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 39 games. The RedHawks, who recently won the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Championship, will battle Providence College in the East Regional on Saturday.

One of Providence’s leading scorers is Trevor Mingoia (2012-13), who has 27 points on 13 goals and 14 assists during 36 games this season. The sophomore was one of Tri-City’s leaders two seasons ago, scoring 39 points in just 43 games.

The other contest in the East Region features Denver University and forward Trevor Moore (2011-13). Moore was recently named Forward of the Year in the NCHC after leading the conference in scoring with 42 points on 21 goals and 21 assists. The Thousand Oaks, Calif. native had 95 points during his two seasons in Kearney.

Poganski has played in 35 games for North Dakota during his freshman season, scoring four goals and assisting on 10 others. An NHL draft pick of the St. Louis Blues last summer after appearing in 55 games for Tri-City, Poganski and his Fighting Sioux teammates will go up against Quinnipiac on Friday night in Fargo, N.D. at Scheels Arena.

Quinnipiac also has a former Storm forward on their roster in junior Soren Jonzzon (2010-12). Jonzzon has eight goals and seven assists in 37 games with the Bobcats this season.

Former Storm goaltender Adam Wilcox will make his third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament with the Golden Gophers, after helping lead his team to a Big Ten conference title last weekend.

Wilcox has 22 wins this season with a 2.38 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. The junior expects to be in between the pipes when Minnesota takes on Minnesota-Duluth in Manchester, N.H. on Friday night. The goaltender played 34 games for the Storm in 2011-12 and led Tri-City to the 2012 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs.
Other Storm alums in the tournament include Joel L’Esperance (2012-14) with Michigan Tech and Tim Bonner (2011-13) with Yale University.

In his freshman season with the Huskies, L’Esperance has been a big contributor, scoring 16 points in 28 games. Michigan Tech takes on St. Cloud State in their opening game in Fargo, while Yale battles Boston University in Manchester.

All NCAA Tournament regional games will take place March 27-28 and will be televised on the ESPN family of networks. The 2015 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey National Championship bracket can be found here.

The full list of former Storm players to reach the tournament can be seen below.

Tri-City continues their six-game homestand this weekend when the Fargo Force come to town for a weekend series. Friday’s game starts at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’scontest begins at 7:05.

For more information and to purchase tickets, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit www.stormhockey.com.

Former Storm Players In The 2015 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament
Tim Bonner – Forward – Yale University
Blake Coleman – Forward – Miami University
Soren Jonzzon – Forward – Quinnipiac University
Chris Joyaux – Defense – Miami University
Joel L’Esperance – Forward – Michigan Tech University
Trevor Mingoia – Forward – Providence College
Trevor Moore – Forward – Denver University
Cody Murphy – Forward – Miami University
Andrew Panzarella – Defense – University of North Dakota
Austin Poganski – Forward – University of North Dakota
Adam Wilcox – Goalie – University of Minnesota

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm (34-14-6) finished off a sweep of the Des Moines Buccaneers (21-19-13) with a 4-2 win at the Viaero Event Center on Saturday night.

Alec Dillon made 27 saves to earn the victory, while Tri-City got goals from Bobby Nardella, Vince Pedrie, Jake Wahlin and Cody Milan. Forward Dan Labosky added two assists in the win, and finished as the only Storm skater with a multi-point night.

Tri-City got out to a good start early and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on Nardella’s ninth goal of the season. Assisted by Kyle Eastman, Nardella free in between the circles and put the puck over Des Moines goalie Ryland Pashovitz for his second goal of the weekend.

Now with 37 points on the season, Nardella has tied the single season mark for a Storm defenseman, set by Chris Nathe during the 2002-03 season. The Notre Dame commit has also tied Nathe’s record for assists by a defenseman with 28, set in the same season.

Three straight second period goals pushed Tri-City’s lead to 4-0, giving them control of the game. First, Pedrie ripped a shot by Pashovitz’s glove at4:38, using Chase Berger as a screen in front. Both Labosky and Kevin Kerr were awarded assists on the play.

Next, Wahlin was set up in front by Mason Appleton for his 12th tally of the season at 16:32 of the middle frame. Chris Wilkie picked up the second helper for his team leading 48th point of the season.

Milan finished off the Storm scoring for the night, scoring on a one-timer from Labosky just 30 seconds after Wahlin’s goal. Milan now has 11 goals and 23 points while appearing in all 54 Storm games this season.

Des Moines made an attempt at a comeback, getting goals from Tanner Karty and Ryan Dmowski, to cut the Storm lead to 4-2 early in the third, but Tri-City was able to hold on for the victory.

Pashovitz made 23 saves for the Buccaneers in the loss. Despite being out-shot 11-3 in the first period by Tri-City, Des Moines edged the Storm 29-27 in shots on goal in the game.

The Storm sit in first place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 74 points and six games remaining in the regular season.

Tri-City continues their six-game homestand next weekend when the Fargo Force come to town for a weekend series. Friday’s game starts at 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s contest begins at 7:05.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Wade Allison and Nolan Aibel, along with defenseman Tory Dello…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Bobby Nardella (Kyle Eastman) 13:03

2nd Period

Tri-City – Vince Pedrie (Kevin Kerr, Dan Labosky) 4:38
Tri-City – Jake Wahlin (Mason Appleton, Chris Wilkie) 16:32
Tri-City – Cody Milan (Dan Labosky) 17:02
Des Moines – Tanner Karty (Miha Zajc, Vince Marinaro) 17:54

 

3rd Period
Des Moines – Ryan Dmowski (unassisted) 0:54

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Des Moines – Chris Allemon – (Tripping), 2 min, 9:30
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Checking From Behind), 2 min, 14:59

2nd Period
Tri-City – Kevin Kerr – (Tripping), 2 min, 7:50

3rd Period
Des Moines – Ara Nazarian – (Tripping), 2 min, 2:02

Power Play

Des Moines – 0/2

Tri-City – 0/2

Shots

Des Moines: 3, 15, 11 = Total: 29
Tri-City: 11, 12, 4 = Total: 28

Saves
Des Moines – Ryland Pashovitz – 23/27
Tri-City – Alec Dillon – 27/29

KEARNEY, Neb. – Chase Berger’s short-handed overtime winning goal gave the Tri-City Storm (33-14-6) a 5-4 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers (21-18-13) and secured the team a berth in the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs on Friday night at the Viaero Event Center.

Berger’s tally was his 10th of the season, while Mason Appleton, Jake Wahlin and Kevin Kerr each had two point nights for Tri-City.

Appleton, who returned after missing three games with an injury, scored on the team’s first shot of the game. The forward deflected a shot from Chris Wilkie past Des Moines goaltender Ryan Ruck to make it 1-0 Tri-City at 1:23 of the opening period. Wahlin picked up the second assist on the goal.

After a penalty to Dan Labosky had Tri-City short-handed, Des Moines tied the game at 1-1 on a goal by Ryan Dmowski.

But the Storm responded to take a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period on defenseman Bobby Nardella’s eighth goal of the season. The tally came with assists by defenseman Mattias Goransson and forward Kyle Eastman.

Tri-City increased their lead in the middle period on goals by Kerr and Nick Master. Kerr scored on a rush into the offensive zone with pass from Wahlin. The defenseman put a shot up high that went into the top shelf of the net to make it 3-1. Appleton was credited with the second assist on Kerr’s sixth of the season.

After a Brennan Sanford goal brought Des Moines back within a goal, Kerr sprung Master free on a breakaway and the forward made it count for his 23rd goal of the year.

Two Des Moines goals from Dmowski and Georgy Gorodetsky tied the game for the Buccaneers in the first seven minutes of the third period.

With seconds left in regulation, Kerr took a double-minor penalty for high sticking that put his team short-handed for the final 27 seconds of the game and into the overtime period.

While the Storm were killing the penalty in overtime, Berger picked up a loose puck in neutral ice and raced into the Des Moines end. The forward made a backhand pass to defenseman Vince Pedrie who had joined the rush up the ice. After an initial shot by Pedie was stopped, Berger put the rebound into the net for the game-winner.

Ruck made 39 saves in defeat for the Buccaneers, while Jared Rutledge stopped 15 shots to earn the victory for Tri-City.

The Storm remain in first place in the USHL’s Western Conference with 72 points with seven games remaining.

Tri-City and Des Moines will complete their weekend series on Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center at 7:05 p.m.

Notes: The Storm scratched forwards Matthew Freytag, Wade Allison and Nolan Aibel…

 

SCORING SUMMARY

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Mason Appleton (Chris Wilkie, Jake Wahlin) 1:23
Des Moines – Ryan Dmowski (power play) (Georgy Gorodetsky, Alec Rauhauser) 9:55
Tri-City – Bobby Nardella (Mattias Goransson, Kyle Eastman) 15:48

2nd Period

Tri-City – Kevin Kerr (Jake Wahlin, Mason Appleton) 5:36
Des Moines – Brennan Sanford (Patrick Grasso) 11:32
Tri-City – Nick Master (Kevin Kerr) 15:15

 

3rd Period
Des Moines – Ryan Dmowski (Georgy Gorodetsky, Ara Nazarian) 4:07
Des Moines – Georgy Gorodetsky (power play) (Alec Rauhauser, Patrick Grasso) 6:53

Overtime
Tri-City – Chase Berger (short-handed) (Vince Pedrie) 1:29

PENALTIES

 

1st Period
Tri-City – Dan Labosky – (Hooking), 2 min, 9:41

2nd Period
Tri-City – Jalen Schulz – (Slashing), 2 min, 11:32

3rd Period
Tri-City – Christopher Brown – (Hooking), 2 min, 6:30
Des Moines – Zach Jordan – (Tripping), 2 min, 8:55
Des Moines – Nicky Wolff – (Head Contact), 5 min, 9:46
Des Moines – Nicky Wolff – (Head Contact) (Game Misconduct) 10 min, 9:46
Tri-City – Chase Berger – (Roughing), 2 min, 12:35
Tri-City – Kevin Kerr – (High Sticking), 4 min, 19:33

Overtime
(no penalties)

Power Play

Des Moines – 2/4

Tri-City – 0/3

Shots

Des Moines: 8, 4, 7, 0 = Total: 19
Tri-City: 14, 13, 15, 2 = Total: 44

Saves
Des Moines – Ryan Ruck – 39/44
Tri-City – Jared Rutledge – 15/19