RALSTON, NE. – The Tri-City Storm posted a 9-2 road win over the Omaha Lancers in Saturday's rivalry showdown at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. Ryan Smith (2), Zach Bade, Artemi Nizameyev, Trevor Connelly, Carmelo Crandell, Brandt Harper, Vladislav Lukashevich, and A.J. Lacroix scored goals for Tri-City in the victory. Thatcher Berstein backstopped the Storm to victory in net. The Storm will return to action next weekend with three consecutive rivalry battles against the Lincoln Stars.
 
Zach Bade gave the Storm a one-goal lead at 3:31 of the 1^st period with his seventh scoring play of the season. It was his fourth goal scored against Omaha this season. Jake Rozzi notched an assist on Bade's goal. Omaha's Cam VanSickle tied the game at 9:11 of the opening period with his third goal of the year. Gabe Kenne recorded an assist on the scoring play. Artemi Nizameyev gave Tri-City a 2-1 advantage in the rivalry matchup just over one minute later. Nizameyev's goal was his eleventh of the year, and was assisted by Trevor Connelly. Tri-City previously held a 14-6-0-3 record when scoring first this season, and a 15-3-0-2 record when holding a lead after the 1^st period. The Storm outshot the Lancers by an overall margin of 13-8 during Saturday's opening period, and Tri-City carried a 2-1 lead into the 2^nd period.
 
The Storm outscored the Lancers by a 4-0 margin during Saturday's 2^nd period to take a commanding 6-1 lead in the matchup. Trevor Connelly netted his team-leading twenty-first goal of the season at 3:43 of the middle period to give Tri-City a two-goal advantage in the rivalry matchup. The goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by Jake Rozzi and Vladislav Lukashevich. Carmelo Crandell scored his fifth goal of the year at 7:08 of the 2^nd period to give Tri-City a 4-1 lead in the rivalry battle. Blake Steenerson recorded an assist on the scoring play. Brandt Harper scored for the second time this season at 9:09 of Saturday's middle period to give the Storm a four-goal advantage in the game. Artemi Nizameyev and Ryan Smith each notched an assist on the scoring play. Lancers' goaltender Mikhail Yegorov was lifted and replaced by Lucas Szyszka following the Storm's 5^th goal of the contest. The final scoring play of Saturday's 2^nd period was netted by Ryan Smith with less than two minutes to play. The scoring play was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev. Tri-City outshot Omaha 12-4 during Saturday's 2^nd period, and entered the 3^rd period with a five-goal lead in the rivalry contest. The Storm was previously 16-0-2-0 when leading after the 2^nd period this season.
 
Ryan Smith scored his second goal of the night, and nineteenth goal of the season, thirty-four seconds into Saturday's 3^rd period to give the Storm a 7-1 lead in the matchup. The goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by August Falloon and Artemi Nizameyev. Will Elger scored his tenth goal of the season at 4:51 of the 3^rd period to bring the Lancers within five goals of the Storm's lead. Vladislav Lukashevich netted his eleventh goal of the season at 13:31 of Saturday's final period to give Tri-City an 8-2 lead in the battle. The final goal of the contest was scored by A.J. Lacroix with less than three minutes to play. The goal was Lacroix's tenth of the season, and was assisted by August Falloon and Shaun McEwen. The Storm outshot the Lancers 16-7 in the 3^rd period, and 42-19 overall in the game. Tri-City won Saturday's rivalry game by a final score of 9-2 and improved to 22-15-4-4 on the 2023-2024 regular season.
 
Thatcher Bernstein stopped 17 of Omaha's 19 shots on net to record his first win in net for Tri-City this season. Mikhail Yegorov made 30 saves on 38 shots in 49:09 of game time, and dropped the game in goal for Omaha. Lucas Szyszka also made 3 saves on 4 shots in 10:51 of playing time for the Lancers during Saturday's seven-goal loss.
 
The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, March 1^st, in a road game against the Lincoln Stars. Puck drop for the matchup is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.