Friday's box score

KEARNEY, Neb. – Trey Jefferis, Tyler Dysart, and Giacomo Martino first period goals helped the Sioux City Musketeers complete a 4-1 victory over the Tri-City Storm on Friday night at Viaero Center.

Sioux City (22-16-6, 50 pts) snapped its three-game losing streak. Tri-City (18-21-3, 39 pts) has dropped a season-high five straight contests. 

Jefferis opened the scoring 89 seconds into regulation. The Hummelstown, Pennsylvania native received a quick pass on the right wing boards at neutral ice from Olivers Murnieks. Jefferis sped around Tri-City defenders and drove to the Storm net, chipping a shot past goaltender Kyle Jones's glove side. It was Jefferis's ninth goal of the season. 

A little under seven minutes later, Dysart notched his fourth tally of the year on a rebound off Jones' left pad following a Landon Nycz shot near the left point of Tri-City's zone. 

Martino increased the Musketeer advantage with 15 seconds remaining in the opening frame. After receiving the puck from Jefferis in the left wing circle of the Storm zone, Martino threw a quick snapshot past Jones's glove side. It was the Northeastern commit's 50th point of the campaign. Martino became the fourth USHL player to reach 50 points on the year. 

Tri-City pulled Jones at the beginning of the second period and replaced him with Michal Pradel.  The Slovakia native made his USHL debut in the Storm crease Friday, stopping 13 of 14 shots he faced. 

Despite two Sioux City man advantages and a Tri-City power play in the second period, no goals were scored in the middle frame. 

The Musketeers tacked on another 7:21 into the third. Nicholas Sykora received a feed on his forehand from Drake Murray in front of the Storm net. Sykora, a left-handed shooter, took a stride toward the left post and stuffed the puck with his backhand around Pradel's outstretched left pad. It was the former Omaha Lancer's 17th goal of the season. 

Tri-City found the scoreboard with 2:05 left in regulation. Ashton Dahms threw a shot toward the Sioux City net from the left point. After an intentional redirection by the stick of Ilya Morozov, the puck hopped around the right pad of Musketeer goaltender Samuel Urban and into Sioux City's cage. It was Morozov's first tally since January 24 against Fargo. 

Carmelo Crandell was ejected in the third period of Friday's matchup. After a video review, the Alberta native was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for slew footing with just over eight minutes remaining. 

Urban earned his 16th win of the year in net. It was the eighth time he allowed one or fewer goals this season. Jones halted five of eight shots in Tri-City's crease during the opening frame. 

The Storm outshot Sioux City 27-22. Tri-City is now 11-12-3 when outshooting their opponent this year. 

The Storm have lost five straight contests for the first time since October 21-November 4, 2023. 

Up next: Tri-City ends its two-game set with Sioux City tomorrow night at Viaero Center. Puckdrop is scheduled for 6:05 pm CT. 

Saturday is Kool-Aid Night sponsored by Kool-Aid Days, honoring the legendary beverage created in Hastings. Join Tri-City for another special jersey night that includes fun with the Kool-Aid man, a chance to peek at the Kool-Aid Koolectable, and samples of Kool-Aid drinks. Each special Kool-Aid jersey worn by a Storm player and Stormy will be auctioned off live on the ice after the game. 

To purchase tickets, visit stormhockey.com, call the Storm at 308-338-8144, or stop by the Viaero Center box office in-person.