Matt Thurber scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the game as Omaha started fast at home.
BRENT C. WAGNER / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008 7:00 pm
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Matt Thurber wasn’t too fond of his first two trips to the United States Hockey League playoffs.
Then again, few players are happy being eliminated in the first round.
Thurber and his Omaha teammates advanced past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, and they didn’t slow down during Game 1 of the second round on Tuesday, handing Lincoln a 5-0 loss.
“The first two years I was here, we got beat in the first round, and experiencing going into the second round and then having a first game like this really excites me,” Thurber said.
“We did the little things,” Thurber said. “They had their opportunities, we just had things go our way at the beginning, and we just kept going.“
And going, and going and going.
Thurber scored back-to-back goals in the opening seven minutes to put Omaha in control for good.
Soon it was a three-goal lead on Patrick Wiercioch’s power-play goal, and with goals by Aaron Lewadniuk and Joe Diamond, the Lancers were able to score goals in each period.
Following eight days off after a series sweep of Sioux Falls in the first round, Lincoln wasn’t as physical as they were against Sioux Falls. Omaha coach Mike Hastings, whose team had only four days off, says the quick start was key.
“You never go through the entire year taking 10 days off, so I think it was important for us to try and get something going early,” Hastings said.
The backbreaking goal came in the second period, when Lewadniuk scored in front of the Stars net despite having a mob of Lincoln players between him and goaltender David Reekie.
“They did all the little things, and it’s a lesson learned for our guys,” Stars coach Jimmy McGroarty said. “They got a couple power-play goals, and we got caught flat-footed.“
On a few of their goals, the Lancers were able to quickly move the puck and had Lincoln diving to catch up to the action.
While the Stars fought to keep up with Omaha on defense, Lincoln struggled to put together quality-scoring chances of its own. Omaha outshot the Stars 40-18, including an 18-3 advantage in the third period.
“We didn’t create our own opportunities like we did against Sioux Falls,” McGroarty said. “We need to play as a team, and not be individuals.
“We weren’t getting in the right spots to support guys with the puck. It felt like the guy with the puck was by himself a lot of time.“
Omaha goaltender Drew Palmisano took Round 1 of a series that features the past two USHL goaltenders of the year. Palmisano stopped 18 shots, which was good for his second shutout in five playoff games this season.
After allowing four goals, Reekie was replaced by Kevin Murdock to begin the third period. Murdock allowed one goal.
And now combining the past two seasons, Lincoln has lost six straight games at the Mid-America Center.
Hastings feels a five-goal win won’t come as easy during Game 2 Friday at the Ice Box.
“All we did was hold serve,” Hastings said. “We won our home game, and Lincoln is probably the toughest place to play in the league.”
Briefly
* Lincoln and Omaha have met in the playoffs four times previously. Lincoln had won Game 1 of the series each time.
* Lincoln forward Jason Gregoire had an eight-game scoring streak, which dated back to the regular season, end.
* Former Lincoln player Todd Knott was named head coach of Sioux City on Tuesday, taking over for legendary coach Dave Siciliano. Knott played for the Stars in 1998-99, and was interim head coach with Des Moines to end this season.
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.