Men's Ice Hockey 4/22/2023 11:04:00 PM

STARS FALL TO STORM IN REGULAR-SEASON FINALE

POSTGAME ARTICLE PRESENTED BY GREAT CLIPS

The Lincoln Stars lost to the Tri-City Storm, 5-3, in the final game of the 2022-23 regular season on Saturday night at the Viaero Center.

Tyler Dunbar scored and added an assist while Daniel Sambuco and Dashel Oliver also found the back of the net.

With both teams already solidified into their respective playoff spots several key players were healthy scratches for Saturday night's game. Lincoln (37-21-3-1) sat Doug Grimes, Tanner Ludtke and Mason Marcellus while Tri-City (34-20-4-4) did not dress Alex Bump, Trevor Connelly, Graham Gamache or Jake Richard.

Tri-City scored the game's first two goals 1:12 apart in the first period to take a 2-0 lead at the 7:29 mark of the opening frame. Sambuco cut the deficit to one on a wraparound goal at the 3:31 mark of the second for his 11th goal of the season and 19th in his USHL career.

The Storm answered 1:22 later to regain the two-goal lead and then stretched their lead to three goals on their fifth power-play goal of the weekend at the 7:15 mark of the second.

Dunbar closed out the second period with a power-play goal on a rebound to the slot that backhanded in at the 16:58 mark for his second goal in a Stars uniform. Oliver scored Lincoln's final goal at the 8:21 mark on a wrist shot from the right side. The Storm added an empty netter with 52 seconds to go to complete the weekend sweep.

The Stars dropped their final two games of the regular season but still ended the campaign as winners of 12-of-their-final-17 games. Lincoln went 7-5-1 against Tri-City in the regular season and now shifts its focus to the postseason.

The 2023 Clark Cup Playoffs begin on Monday when the Stars host the Des Moines Buccaneers at 7:05 p.m. in Game 1 of the first round. It's a best-of-three games series and each game in this round will take place at the Ice Box. Lincoln has made the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time since three consecutive playoff runs from 2011-13.

Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are now on sale at lincolnstars.com. All postseason tickets are on sale for $10. Fans who have have purchased or renewed season tickets for 2023-24 will receive free admission to all home postseason games. Just show your 7th Star badge or give your name at the main entrance to enter the game for free. If you have not locked in your 2023-24 season tickets, then please call 402-474-7827.

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