Multiple overtime games and a coach making history were just a couple of the thrilling moments in the USHL Saturday night. Here are three takeaways.
Saturday was an exciting night in the USHL, with three games needing overtime and a head coach reaching a milestone.
Here are three takeaways from a wild night of action.
An Overtime Bonanza
Close games are thrilling and nail-biting at the same time. The USHL offered plenty of both on Saturday.
In a battle of the Cities, it took some bonus hockey for Tri-City to outduel Sioux City 5-4. The Storm tied things up midway through the third period before Nolan Roed sealed the deal.
Cameron Springer led the way for Tri-City with two goals.
The Dubuque Fighting Saints had their hands full with Des Moines, finally prevailing 4-3 in OT. Cole Spicer was the hero of the night, potting two goals including the game-winner.
The Saints remain on top in the Eastern Conference thanks to the win.
The final overtime game of the evening saw Youngstown edge the Chicago Steel 3-2.
Melvin Strahl was solid in net, stopping 31 shots while Adam Benak recorded the OT game-winning goal for the Phantoms.
Carlson Sets USHL Record
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders head coach Mark Carlson came into Saturday needing one more game to set a league record for most regular-season games coached.
He got it Saturday night, with a shutout to boot. The Riders blanked the Waterloo Black Hawks 3-0, as Cedar Rapids goaltender AJ Reyelts stopped all 23 shots that came his way.
The victory gave Carlson his 1,477th regular-season game behind the bench. That breaks the old mark set by P.K. O’Handley, who coached in 1,476.
Saturday’s win against Waterloo comes with a bit of irony, as the Black Hawks were once coached by O’Handley.
Carlson is the only coach in RoughRiders history. With this milestone behind him, he doesn’t appear ready to slow down anytime soon.
Close, But No Cigar
One thing you can say for the Omaha Lancers: they keep it close.
If only close losses counted on the scoreboard.
They don’t, unfortunately. After falling to the Fargo Force in overtime Friday, the Lancers lost another close one to the Force on Saturday, 3-2. The loss extended the Lancers’ pitiful losing streak to 25 games.
Ryan Zaremba was the thorn in Omaha’s side Saturday, scoring at the 11:27 mark of the third period to prolong the Lancers’ misery.
Omaha took the first lead Saturday when Jonah Aegerter scored just four minutes into the second period. However, Fargo tied the game late in the frame and took the lead 2-1 on a Brady Arneson tally in the third.
Sam Scheetz responded for Omaha to tie the game 2-2 before Zaremba put the dagger in the Lancers’ hearts.
Ending the losing skid won’t be any easier for Omaha, as they host the Lincoln Stars Thursday night.