LINCOLN, NE (KELO.com) — After falling behind 3-0, the Herd rallied for two big goals to pull within one, but couldn’t get the tying goal and eventually fell 5-2 to the Lincoln Stars Friday night at the Ice Box. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Herd (4-6-0) and marked the third time this season the Herd have fallen to the Stars. Dan Russell and Adam Zlnka tallied goals for the Herd while Noah Grannan turned aside 29 of 33 shots on the night. The Stars improved to 8-3-1 on the season and remained in first place in the Western Conference.
Things were back-and-forth for most of the period, but the Stars created more scoring chances despite two power plays for the herd. During the second advantage for the Stampede, the Stars would steal the puck and move in on a breakaway that was stopped by Noah Grannan, but the Herd were unable to clear the zone and Aidan Thompson got a second chance, wristing the puck into the upper right-hand corner of the net to make it a 1-0 game. That would be the only goal of the period with Lincoln outshooting the Herd, 11-5.
Things did not get much better early in the second period as the Stars scored just five minutes in when Michael Mastrodomenico fired a shot from the left circle past the glove of Grannan for a 2-0 lead. Less than five minutes later, the Stars took advantage of a Stampede turnover in front of the net and Aidan Thompson found Griffin Jurecki who slapped it into the net for a 3-0 lead. The Herd got a little momentum of their own at 13:29 just after a power play had expired. Jack Silich found Dan Russell inside the left circle and Russell quickly wristed the puck over the left shoulder of Cameron Whitehead to make it a 3-1 game. Lincoln outshot the Herd 14-9 in the period.
Sioux Falls would make things interesting in the third when they were finally able to break through with a power play goal, on their eighth chance, on Adam Zlnka’s first goal of the season. Brayden Stannard sent a pass into the left circle for Zlnka who one-timed it into the net at 11:54 to make it a 3-2 game. Right as the Herd were making a push to tie the game, a turnover would cost them the game. Lincoln jumped on a puck in the offensive zone and sent a pass in front of the net to Mastrodomenico who quickly knocked it home to give the Stars a 4-2 lead. Sioux Falls would pull Grannan for an extra attacker, but sealed the victory with an empty net goal late in the game.
The Stampede outshot the Stars 10-9 in the period, but were outshot 34-24 on the night. The Herd went 1-for-8 on the power play while Lincoln was 0-for-3.
The Herd return to action Saturday night when they host the Waterloo Black Hawks at 6:05 PM for Pink in the Rink Night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a FREE Stampede pink mini stick, compliments of Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital. The game will be played on pink ice and fans can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win a game-worn pink jersey. Bring your skates and skate with the team after the game as well. Tickets are available through the KELOLAND Box Office or any Ticketmaster location.
