SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls Stampede Hockey Club was unable to maintain an early lead against the Lincoln Stars after the Stars scored four goals in the final two periods of play. The Herd ultimately added the loss to their record with a score of 5-4.
Lincoln’s Tanner Ludtke was the first to tally a goal 5:20 into the game. Not to be outdone, Sioux Falls’ Chris Pelosi marked his seventh goal of the season just 37 seconds later. Pelosi’s goal was assisted by Adam Zlnka, tying the game at one goal for each team. Nick Ring then gave Sioux Falls a lead with just under 10 minutes off of the clock, assisted by Maddox Fleming and Max Rud on the powerplay. With 4:39 left to play in the first period, Pelosi marked his second goal of the night from Sam Harris and Isaac Gordon.
The second period saw two goals from the Stars, the first from Daniel Sambuco followed by Jared Mangan. The Stampede failed to answer back, leading to a three-goal tie heading into the third period.
In the last 20 minutes of play, the Stars were able to add two goals onto their scoreboard, going up 5-3 with just over ten minutes left in the game. With 6:47 left in the game, Jaksen Panzer found himself on the breakaway and earned another goal for the Herd. Panzer’s goal was assisted by Will McDonough and Evan Murr, marking McDonough’s fourth assist and Murr’s 16th.
Xavier Medina added the loss to his record, which now sits at 11-11-3 since joining the Herd. He added 21 saves to his record, making his weekend scorecard 70 saves after Friday night’s 49-save game. Medina now holds a .918 save percentage with 737 saves and 66 goals allowed.
The Herd heads on the road to Fargo, N.D. and Des Moines, Iowa on Feb. 15 and 18, respectively. The team returns to the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center on Sunday, Feb. 19 to host the Tri-City Storm for a 4:05 p.m. matchup.
