Stampede fly high to wrap up long weekend

Sioux Falls, S.D. (Stampede) – The Sioux Falls Stampede flew high over the Lincoln Stars with a 5–1 victory. Thomas Zocco led the way with two goals, while Waylon Esche made 18 saves between the pipes.

After a slow start the night before, the Stampede needed a strong opening and found it early when Joey Macrina netted his 13th goal of the season. Macrina scored after a takeaway in the defensive zone, moving the puck up to Cade Strom. Strom returned the puck to Macrina in the low slot, where he slipped it backdoor for the goal. The early tally gave the Stampede momentum as the fast-paced play continued between the two teams.

Matthew Grimes extended the Stampede lead at 15:38 with a quick one-timer from the left faceoff dot. A few minutes later, Brent Solomon was assessed the first penalty of the game for Sioux Falls. After struggling on the penalty kill the previous night, the Herd shut down the Stars’ power play. Sioux Falls controlled play offensively in the opening period, outshooting Lincoln 14–8.

The Herd picked up where they left off early in the third period, scoring their third goal just 1:17 in. Brock Schultz found the net from out front after receiving a backhanded pass from Anthony Bongo. Less than two minutes later, the Stampede were called for another penalty—this time a high stick on Juho Keinanen. On the same play, Stampede enforcer Thomas Holtby dropped the gloves with Lincoln’s Brady Sloper. Both players received five-minute majors and 10-minute misconducts, but the Stars still headed to the power play due to the Keinanen penalty. Once again, the Stampede penalty kill came up strong.

At 7:57, Sioux Falls took a 4–0 lead when Thomas Zocco slipped the puck in after a cross-slot pass from JJ Monteiro. The Stars broke through at 14:44, scoring their first goal of the night. The goal came after a hit on Cooper Soller left him without his helmet; as he skated to the bench, the Stampede were left shorthanded, allowing Lincoln to capitalize. Stampede head coach Ryan Cruthers challenged the play for a major penalty, but after review, no penalty was called.

Just 16 seconds later, Sioux Falls drew an interference penalty. On the ensuing faceoff, Lincoln was called for delay of game, giving the Herd a 5-on-3 power play. Sioux Falls was unable to convert after a goal was waved off due to a premature whistle. To close the period, the Stampede went back to the power play following a double high-sticking minor to Lincoln’s Nathaniel Poole. Sioux Falls continued to dominate puck possession, outshooting the Stars 20–8 in the period.

The Stampede closed out the game with a strong third period. At 5:18, Logan Renkowski headed to the box for slashing, but the Herd’s penalty kill shut the door once again. The remainder of the period featured steady back-and-forth play until Zocco scored his second goal of the night at 18:07. He buried a quick one-timer from the center of the high slot, with a perfect screen from Monteiro sealing the win. About a minute and a half later, Cooper Soller appeared to score again, but the goal was waved off and upheld after review.

Sioux Falls earned the 5–1 victory while outshooting Lincoln 52–19.

Goaltender Waylon Esche earned his fifth win of the season with an 18-save performance. He improved to 5–3–1–0 on the season, with a 3.33 goals-against average and a .872 save percentage.

The Herd will travel to Dubuque, Iowa, next weekend to take on the Fighting Saints. Both games will be played at 7:05 p.m. at IMON Arena. Sioux Falls returns home on February 5, when they host the Green Bay Gamblers for their final Eastern Conference series of the season.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.