Boston Buckberger scored the game-tying goal with 15.1 seconds in regulation but the Lincoln Stars fell to the Des Moines Buccaneers, 4-3, in overtime.
Lincoln (25-13-2) outshot Des Moines (14-18-5-3), 47-16, and scored their fifth shorthanded goal of the season but the Buccaneers cashed in on the power play at the 2:16 mark of overtime. The loss snapped the Stars' five-game winning streak but extended their point streak to six games.
Buckberger extended his point streak to six games with a goal and an assist. He has nine points in that time and is one point back of moving into a tie for first in points among USHL defensemen. His game-tying goal came on a wrist shot from just inside the blue line with the Stars' net empty.
Brennan Ali also extended his point streak to six games with a shorthanded goal at the 13:58 mark of the first on a wrist shot from the left-wing side. Ali has two goals and six assists since Feb. 3.
Jared Mangan and Ali scored in the first period to give the Stars a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Mangan perfectly tapped in the puck off a bounce off the boards from an intentionally-wide Buckberger shot to put the Stars on the board first at the 4:04 mark of the first. Joey Muldowney snuck a low shot past Stars netminder Lucas Massie to tie the game up 1:35 later before Ali gave Lincoln the lead.
The Stars outshot the Buccaneers, 21-5, in the second period but surrendered a pair of goals to Lubomir Kupco and Jak Vaarwerk to seize the lead.
After Buckberger's heroics sent the game to overtime the Buccaneers went on the man advantage at 1:35 mark and then scored 41 seconds later on a one-timer from Michael Bevilacqua.
The Stars play their next four games on the road beginning with a three-game road trip this weekend. Lincoln opens a two-game set against Fargo on Friday at 7:05 before wrapping up the weekend on Sunday at Sioux City at 3:05. The Stars' next home game is Saturday, Feb. 25, at 6:05 against Sioux Falls.
Â
Save time, every time when you use Online Check-in for a great haircut at Great Clips – proud partner of the Lincoln Stars.
Download their app or check-in online at greatclips.com. Great Clips. It's gonna be great.
