Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Thrilling Overtime for USHL All-Star Game

Press Release

Des Moines Buccaneers forward Ryan Walters registered the fourth hat trick in USHL All-Star Game history, but it was defenseman Nick Bailen who was the hero for the East Division scoring the overtime winner.

In a game that saw the clubs trade goals all evening, it was only fitting that it needed more than 60 minutes to decide the outcome. It was a night full goals, saves, great passes, and several big hits. Nate Condon (Fargo Force) opened the scoring just under three minutes into the contest to give the West a 1-0 lead. Tom Serratore (Youngstown Phantoms), a late All-Star addition, and Max Cook of the Indiana Ice responded with a pair of goals to swing the game in favor of the East. Ryan Walters (Des Moines) scored the first of his three goals to even the contest heading into the first intermission.

Walters gave the West their second lead of the game early in the second period. Shane Berschbach was the second Indiana Ice player of the night to tally goal when he evened the game later in the frame on a brilliant pass from Ice teammate Max Cook.

Tyler Barnes (Waterloo Black Hawks) helped the East regain the lead, but Ryan Walters finished off his hat trick a little more than six minutes later to once again make the scored tied.

After 60 minutes of play, the game went to overtime with each team skating four players a side. It appeared to be heading to a shootout but defenseman Nick Bailen fired a puck that found the back of the net with just 13 seconds remaining in the overtime period giving Team CCM (East) the victory.

Troy Grosenick (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) earned the victory in net making 14 saves after entering the game midway through the second period.

Nate Condon was named player of the game for Team Reebok while Nick Bailen was honored as player of the game for Team CCM. Ryan Walters earned the Ron Woodey Award as All-Star MVP with his three-goal performance.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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