PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – The grand weekend of hockey opened throughout the land including the United States Hockey League last weekend. The USHL is the only premier Junior hockey league in the United States and features many talented players from the United States, Canada and the occasional European player. Each team will play a total of 60 games with the four highest seeds in each Division playing a best of five series based on seeding with the winners playing a best-of-five series for the Division title. After deciding the Divisional titles, the East and West champions will face-off in a best-of-five series for the Clark Cup. October 2, 2009 Des Moines 4 at Sioux Falls 3 The Buccaneers opened the season on the road traveling to Sioux Falls to play the Stampede. Despite being outshot 20 shots on goal to the Stampedes staggering 46, the Bucs managed to put the game away in a shootout 4-3. Des Moines goalie Eric Mihalik stopped 43 of the 46 shots he faced and led Des Moines to a season opening road win. Lincoln 2 at Fargo 5 Fargo opened up the 2009-10 season at home as the reigning West Division Champions. The Force appeared to be picking up where it left off as they would overwhelmed the Stars with 25 shots on goal. They strangled the Stars from making much of an offensive threat and only allowed 14 shots on goal all night. October 3, 2009 Cedar Rapids 7 at Des Moines 4 Following a hard fought road opener, the Buccaneers would return home Saturday evening to face the Cedar Rapids Roughriders. Despite Des Moines’ T.J. Tynan’s two goals, the Roughriders would prevail in dominating fashion as Cedar Rapids would win 7-4. In total for the weekend, the Buccaneers goalies would face 76 shots on goal allowing 10 of those shots to find the back of the net. Fargo 2 at Sioux Falls 3 Following a stellar home opener the night before, the Stampede proved to be a handful for the Force as they would once again limit their opponents to few scoring opportunities. Fargo would manage two goals on 27 shots as Sioux Falls played tight defense from start to finish led by their goalie Laval, Quebec native Lino Chimienti who registered 25 saves. Tri-City 1 at Omaha 3 The Lancers used the loud atmosphere of the Civic Auditorium to their advantage as they would roll over inter-state rival Tri-City from the start of the game. Tri-City was the worst team in the league last season and found scoring to be difficult throughout the night. To his credit, Omaha goalie Jeff Teglia earned himself USHL honors as the weeks best goalie as he shut down the Storm on 26 shots, only allowing one goal on a power play. Omaha would pepper the Storm and goalie Carsen Chubak 28 times for three goals as the Lancers would oppress the Storm in their home opener. Lincoln 2 at Sioux City 0 In a game that was conservative in filling the scoring sheet, the Stars managed to do the most damage. Lincoln goalie Jared Coreau stopped 25 shots on goal for his first win and shut out. Sioux City struggled to create opportunities in the first two periods of play and ultimately in the end found themselves empty handed. Neither Lincoln nor Sioux City had any luck on the power play as both teams went a combined 0-9. Upcoming Weeks Schedule in the West Division October 9, 2009 Cedar Rapids at Sioux City Sioux Falls at Fargo Des Moines at Lincoln Indiana at Tri-City October 10, 2009 Sioux Falls at Sioux City Youngstown at Des Moines Lincoln at Omaha Indiana at Tri-City USHL Weekly Honors (from the League) Offensive Player of the Week: Andrei Kuchin Chicago Steel – six points (1G, 5A) Defensive Player of the Week: David Makowski Green Bay Gamblers – three points (2G, 1A) Goalie of the Week: Jeff Teglia Omaha Lancers – 25 saves, .962%, 1.00 GAA You may contact the author at: john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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