Late Heroics From Riddell Power Lancers
Sioux Falls, S.D. - Riley Riddell jammed in a rebound with 15 seconds left in regulation Monday night to lift the Omaha Lancers to a 3-2
playoff victory over Sioux Falls.
The win gives the Lancers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five United States Hockey League
second-round series. Game 2 will be played at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum.
The Stampede took a 1-0 lead 1:51 into the game when John Funk put a rebound past Omaha goalie Ray Fraser. Lancers' forward Yan Stastny tied the game midway through the period when he put a high shot from the slot past Sioux Falls goalie Zach Sikich.
"I thought a key to the game was the way we came back and scored on them in the first period," Omaha Coach Mike Hastings said. "They're such an explosive team that things can really snowball against you in a hurry."
Ryan Ronkowski put Omaha ahead with a power-play goal 3:28 into the second period, but Sioux Falls forward Tyler Scott scored three minutes later to knot the game at 2. The score stayed that way until the final minute and a faceoff in the Stampede end.
University of Nebraska at Omaha recruit Dan Hacker won the draw and put a shot on net. Sikich made the save, but Riddell, who led the team in scoring during the regular season with 30 goals and 34 assists, poked the puck between Sikich's skate and the goal post.
Fraser made 33 saves to boost his postseason mark to 4-0.
