6 hours Ago
The USHL Western Conference Finals between the Lincoln Stars and Waterloo Black Hawks shifts to Waterloo, Iowa, for Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-five series. After dropping Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Lincoln bounced back to even the series with a 4-3 victory in Game 2 at the Ice Box. Lincoln found success at Young Arena this year — splitting two regular-season games there and sweeping the Black Hawks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
Yan Shostak, the USHL goaltender of the year the league announced Tuesday, has made 34 saves in the series and bounced back after turning away 28 shots to help the Stars even the series Saturday. “Yan has played a big role on our team for the whole year,” Lincoln captain Matthew Maltais said. “Let's face it, we all think he's the best goalie in the league.
For us to have him and knowing that if you make a mistake or honestly anything happens he's got you. It's just a big plus for us and just brings our confidence up that whoever we play we have the best goalie in the league.” People are also reading.
.. Shostak also received ALL-USHL First Team honors Tuesday.
Jack Pechar received second-team honors while Etienne Lessard was named to the third team. The series will be decided in Waterloo — unless Lincoln and Waterloo split the next two games and force a game five back in Lincoln.” Wednesday's Game 3 begins at 6:30 p.
m. at Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa. Keys for Lincoln to clinch the series Cliche as cliché can be: Every coach and player talks about it, but playing a full 60 minutes is vital for Lincoln.
When the Stars amp up the pressure, opponents have had a hard time getting the puck out of the neutral zone let alone their defensive zone. Avoid the second period snooze: Waterloo capitalized three times in 2 minutes, 30 seconds in game one and four times in the second frame. Sioux City also had a similar occurrence in the Stars second-round match up where the Musketeers scored three second-period goals in a span of five minutes.
Find the scoring touch: Lincoln had six players score 20 or more goals in the regular season for the first time in franchise history. Of those six, only Bruno Idzan and Lefty Markonidis have scored multiple goals for Lincoln in the playoffs. Daniel Shlaine and Dashel Oliver have each scored one, while Gio Digiulian and Jack Pechar have yet to find the back of the net.
Pechar led Lincoln with 27 goals in the regular season, but leads the Stars with five assists in the playoffs. Photos: Lincoln Stars open USHL playoffs at Ice Box Lincoln Stars fans celebrate after a Doug Grimes goal (right) against Des Moines as Antonio Fernandez (middle) holds his arms up to signal goal at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023. Lincoln Star's Jack Larrigan (16) smiles after a goal against Des Moines at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023.
Lincoln Stars' Mason Marcellus (22) goes head-to-head in a face off against Des Moines' Braedon Ford (21) at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023. Jackson Wojciechowicz, 9, waves a towel in the air to celebrate a Lincoln Stars' goal against Des Moines at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023. Lincoln Stars' Cole Crusberg-Roseen (13) takes a shot on goal against Des Moines at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023.
Lincoln Stars' Patrick Raft (9) celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against Des Moines at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023. Lincoln Stars' Mason Marcellus (22) makes a cut against Des Moines' Gustav Stjernberg (5) at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023. Lincoln Stars' Jared Mangan (26) dribbles the puck while being chased by Des Moines'Joe Gramer (25) at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023.
Lincoln Stars' Brennan Ali (18) makes a pass against Des Moines' Alex Pineau at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023. Lincoln's Tanner Ludtke (11) shields off Des Moines' Gustav Stjernberg (5) during an April 24 game at the Ice Box. Lincoln's Patrick Raft (9) scores against Des Moines during a first-round USHL playoff game Monday at the Ice Box.
Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Lincoln Stars/Lincoln Saltdogs reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items..
