Sunday, April 25, 2010

USHL Playoff Recap - Series Clinching Saturday

Press Release

Fargo Force 5 @ Omaha Lancers 2

Chase Grant scored his seventh goal of the playoffs, which is tied for the USHL lead, to help the Force clinch the series, 3-2, with the Lancers and earn a second straight trip to the Clark Cup Finals.

Nate Condon opened the scoring in the deciding Game Five with his third of the playoffs, but Erik Haula scored his second goal in the past three games to pull the Lancers even after the first 20 minutes.

The teams combined for 25 shots in the second period, but only J.P. Burkemper was able to light the lamp scoring his first playoff goal for the Force.

Troy Power scored his second goal in as many games for the Lancers early in the third period to once again even the score. Chase Grant put the Force back on top for good with his second game-winner of the series less than three minutes later. Matt Leitner extended the lead to two goals and then added an empty netter for his second goal of the period and fifth of the series. Leitner leads the USHL with eight playoff goals. Force goaltender Ryan Mass made 27 saves to earn the victory.

Boxscore

Green Bay Gamblers 4 @ Indiana Ice 2

Anders Lee scored two goals to help the Anderson Cup champion Gamblers knock off the defending Clark Cup champs in Game Four to earn a trip to the finals. Green Bay wins the series 3-1.

Chris Crane scored his second goal in as many nights for Green Bay to open the scoring just over six minutes into the contest. However, Antti Roppo and Max Cook would also score their second goals in as many nights during the period to give the Ice their first lead in the series since winning Game One.

In the second period, Anders Lee and Reed Seckel both converted on the power play to re-claim the lead for the Gamblers who fired 14 shots on goal in the middle frame. It was the third straight game that Seckel has tallied a goal.

Despite a push from the Ice in the third period, the Gamblers held their ground as goaltender Steve Summerhays stopped all 13 shots he faced in the final 20 minutes and Anders Lee added a shorthanded goal to seal the victory. Lee finished with three points (2g, 1a), his third straight multi-point game, and leads the League in playoff scoring with 15 points (7g, 8a) in seven postseason games.

Boxscore

Clark Cup Finals

The Green Bay Gamblers and Fargo Force will now play a best-of-five series to determine the winner of the League's top prize, the Clark Cup.

Green Bay will have home-ice advantage for the series after earning the Anderson Cup title during the regular season.


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

No comments: