Sioux Falls Takes Game 1 in USHL Clark Cup Finals

A big third period for the Sioux Falls Stampede propelled them to a Game One victory in the Clark Cup Final best-of-five series on May 9, 2015.

Both teams came out firing in the opening period and had quality chances, but both goaltenders were up to the task to keep in scoreless. Eric Schierhorn stopped all 15 shots he faced for Muskegon while Sioux Falls netminder Stefanos Lekkas made eight saves.

Muskegon would start the scoring early in the second period as they took advantage of a power play opportunity and Matej Paulovic buried the puck for a 1-0 lead. It was his second goal of the playoffs. Schierhorn continued his dominance as he stopped all 10 shots that came his way in the period.

Sioux Falls came alive in the third period. Dakota Joshua took a pass from Mikey Eyssimont and ripped a shot past Schierhorn to tie the game 1-1 just under six minutes into the frame. Ryan Schwalbe then made it 2-1 in favor of the Stampede with his second goal of the playoffs. Muskegon would have a quick answer as Mark Petaccio scored just 38 seconds after the Schwalbe goal to make it 2-2. It was the fifth goal of the playoffs for Petaccio.

The Stampede would get their third goal of the period when J.M. Piotrowski got the puck at the side of the net and buried it to regain the lead. Muskegon would pull Schierhorn late in the contest but were unable to get the equalizer as the Stampede held on for the victory.

Lekkas made 32 saves to record the win, his seventh of the playoffs, while Schierhorn had 34 saves in the loss. It was the first time in the playoffs that Muskegon dropped their opening game of a series.

The teams return to the ice on Sunday for Game Two at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon.