KEARNEY, NE– The Tri-City Storm won the 24^th Home Opener in organizational history Friday night in a 5-2 victory over the Sioux City Musketeers at the Viaero Center. Ryan Smith, Philippe Blais-Savoie, August Falloon, Trevor Connelly, and Cameron Briere all netted goals for the Storm in the win.
 
Ryan Smith netted the first regular season goal scored at the Viaero Center this season at 16:47 of Friday night's opening period. The goal was Smith's first of the season and was scored even-strength. Trevor Connelly and Artemi Nizameyev each recorded an assist on the scoring play. Tri-City outshot Sioux City 11-9 during the 1^st period, and carried a one-goal lead into the 2^nd period.
 
Philippe Blais-Savoie scored his first goal of the year less than one minute into the middle period to double the Storm's advantage to two goals. Carmelo Crandell and Owen Beckner each notched an assist on the scoring play. The goal was netted even-strength. August Falloon scored his team-leading third goal of the season on the powerplay at 5:06 of Friday's 2^nd period to give Tri-City a 3-0 lead in the battle. Owen Beckner and Trevor Connelly each recorded an assist on the scoring play. The final goal of Friday's middle period was netted by Sioux City's Jordan Ronn. The goal was scored even strength and was assisted by Hagen Burrows and Finn Loftus. The Storm outshot the Musketeers by a 19-8 margin during the 2^nd period. Tri-City led 3-1 entering the 3^rd period.
 
Joe Mense scored his first goal of the season just over five minutes into Friday's final period to cut into Tri-City's lead. The goal was scored even-strength, and was assisted by Tate Pritchard and Ty Hanson. Sioux City elected to lift goaltender Samuel Urban twice during the final two minutes of the 3^rd period with hopes of tying the game with an extra attacker. Trevor Connelly scored his first goal of the season at 18:53 of the period, and Cameron Briere scored his first goal of the year at 19:12 of the period to seal the Storm's 5-2 victory. Each of Tri-City's 3^rd period goals were empty-net scoring plays. Each team recorded three shots on net during the 3^rd period, and the Storm outshot the Musketeers 33-20 overall in the matchup. Friday's result was Tri-City's first multi-goal victory of the season.
 
Reigning USHL Goaltender of the Week Cameron Korpi made 18 saves on 20 shots to record his third consecutive win in net to start the season for Tri-City. Samuel Urban made 28 saves on 31 shots while in goal for Sioux City and recorded the loss.
 
Tri-City hits the ice again on Saturday, September 30^th, in a home game against the Sioux City Musketeers. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.