PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – The West Division has proven to be quite competitive early as five teams are within one game of one another and Omaha only holds a narrow margin over Tri-City for the top spot. While it is early yet, it appears the Lancers will be one of the brightest points in the USHL this season and Tri-City’s resurgence will cause some heated games throughout the Division. While Des Moines has yet to gain the composure the Buccaneers have yet to give up and a long season awaits them to unify as a team and excel in the league.
West Division Standings
Omaha, 12 pts (6-1-0) Tri-City, 11 pts (5-1-1) Sioux Falls, 10 pts (4-1-2) Fargo, 8 pts (4-3-0) Lincoln, 8 pts (4-5-0) Sioux City, 6 pts (3-4-0) Des Moines, 6 pts (3-5-0)
October 18, 2009
Cedar Rapids 5, Des Moines 0
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Des Moines was not treated kindly by the host Roughriders as the Buccaneers failed net a point giving Cedar Rapids goalie Troy Grosenick his first shutout of the season. Grosenick stopped 14 of 14 shots for his second win of the season.
October 20, 2009
Tri-City 4, Lincoln 1
Kearney, Nebraska – Tri-City has emerged early in the season as a serious threat in the West Division. The Storm’s Jaden Schwartz and Luke McManus led the way with two points apiece as Tri-City won their fourth game of the season.
October 22, 2009
Omaha 5, Chicago 1
Omaha, Nebraska – Jeff Teglia made 25 saves for Omaha and Ryan Daugherty scored twice and assisted once to lead Omaha past the dangerous Steel and solidify their place at the top of the West Division.
October 23, 2009
Sioux City 4, Team USA 3 (OT)
Sioux City, Iowa – It took free hockey for the Musketeers to sink Team USA as Andrew Sinelli contributed a pair of assists for Sioux City. Ryan Kesti would net the game winner to send Sioux City to its third win of the season, all of which have come against the United States Developmental Team.
Fargo 3, Des Moines 2
Des Moines, Iowa – Yet again this season the Force showed why they may have one of the best lines in all of hockey. Johnnie Seafross, Matt Leitner, and Garrett Allen each recorded two pints as Fargo continued their solid play this season.
Chicago 7, Lincoln 5
Lincoln, Nebraska – In what was yet another high scoring affair for the Chicago Steel, Lincoln found themselves on the frustrating point of the win column once again. Sahir Gill would lead the way for the visiting Steel as Chicago would roll to their fifth win of the season.
Omaha 7, Waterloo 4
Waterloo, Iowa – Seth Ambroz and Dennis Brown would each score twice for the Lancers as Omaha would abuse Waterloo goalie Dayn Belfour for 34 shots on goal.
Tri-City 5, Youngstown 3
Youngstown, Ohio – Tri-City has been everyone least favorite opponent of late as the Storm have begun to amass wins and limit scoring opportunities for their opponents. Jaden Schwartz and Brett Mohler would finish the game with three points apiece for the Storm.
October 24, 2009
Omaha 4, Sioux City 1
Sioux City, Iowa – Omaha would travel up I-29 for an impressive win as they out played the host Muskies throughout the game. Omaha would limit Sioux City to one goal and 19 shots as Lancers goalie Jeff Teglia would record his fourth win of the season.
Des Moines 3, Lincoln 2
Des Moines, Iowa – Eric Knodel and T.J. Tynan would combine for five points for the Buccaneers as Lincoln would fall to their struggling host giving Des Moines its third win of the season.
Chicago 4, Sioux Falls 3
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – The Steel limited the Stampede to a mere 18 shots on goal as Andrew Schmit and Mark Anthoine would each score a pair of goals for Chicago.
Waterloo 7, Fargo 3
Waterloo, Iowa – Fargo would pepper Black Hawks goalie C.J. Motte for 42 shots on goal in their losing effort. J.T> Brown would score twice with the first three and a half minutes of the game for Waterloo.
Tri-City 3, Youngstown 1
Youngstown, Ohio – Tri-City would complete a weekend sweep of the Phantoms as they travelled the longest distance in the USHL for a game. Jaden Schwartz and Brett Mohler would once again lead the Storm with a pair of points each to defeat the host Phantoms.
Upcoming Weeks Schedule
October 25, 2009 Lincoln at Cedar Rapids
October 29, 2009 Omaha at Team USA
October 30, 2009 Green Bay at Sioux City Youngstown at Fargo Lincoln at Sioux Falls Omaha at Team USA
October 31, 2009 Sioux City at Sioux Falls Green Bay at Des Moines Youngstown at Fargo Tri-City at Lincoln
USHL Weekly Honors (from the League)
Offensive Player of the Week: Jaden Schwartz, Tri-City Storm Defensive Player of the Week: Bryce Aneloski, Cedar Rapids Roughriders Goalie of the Week: Jeff Teglia, Omaha Lancers
You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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