LINCOLN, NE– The Tri-City Storm clinched a spot in the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs Saturday night at the Ice Box in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Lincoln Stars. The Storm's only goal of the contest was scored with less than a minute to play by Cam Briere to give Tri-City the final point necessary to lock up a postseason berth. Tri-City's five-game road trip is complete, and the Storm will now return home for back-to-back games at the Viaero Center next weekend against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Tickets to each game are available online at www.StormHockey.com, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144.
 
Saturday's opening period ended in a scoreless tie after each team failed to net a goal. The Storm outshot the Stars by a 9-7 margin, and the 2^nd period began with the rivalry battle tied at 0-0. Tri-City entered Saturday's game with a 5-7-3-1 record when tied after the 1^st period this season.
 
The 2^nd period of Saturday's game also finished in a scoreless tie with the Storm outshooting the Stars by a 17-10 margin. The Storm entered the matchup with a record of 3-2-1-3 when tied after the middle period this season. Saturday's 3^rd period began with the score deadlocked at 0-0.
 
Keaton Peters gave the Stars a 1-0 lead just over six minutes into Saturday's 3^rd period with his twenty-second scoring play of the year. The goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by Justin Mexico and Ryan Spinale. Cam Briere netted his twenty-first goal of the season at 19:27 of the 3^rd period to bring the game to a 1-1 tie. The goal was scored with an extra attacker on the ice, and was assisted by Trevor Connelly and Jake Rozzi. Each team recorded nine shots on net during the 3^rd period, and the contest required an overtime and shootout to determine a winner.
 
The Stars outshot the Storm 2-1 in the overtime period, and outscored Tri-City 1-0 in the shootout to secure the victory in Saturday's game. Tri-City outshot Lincoln by a final margin of 36-29, but fell in the rivalry matchup. The Storm dropped to 27-21-4-6, and has four games remaining in the 2023-2024 regular season.
 
Cameron Korpi recorded the shootout loss in net for the Storm after making 27 saves on 28 shots during the game. Yan Shostak collected the win in goal for Lincoln after turning away 35 of Tri-City's 36 shots on goal.                  
 
The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, April 5^th, in a home game against the Sioux Falls Stampede. 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.