Stampede Blast Tri-City 6-0

SIOUX FALLS, SD -- The Sioux Falls Stampede showed no fatigue from a twelve-round shootout loss the night before as they routed the Tri-City Storm 6-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 4,772 at the Arena Saturday night.

David Jacobson was a roadblock in net, stopping all 18 Storm shots to earn his first career USHL shutout while C.J. Franklin contributed three points (1 G, 2 A) and Chad Duchesne tallied two goals for the Herd (11-5-2), who were celebrating Military Appreciation Night at the game.

“We knew that we had to come out hard this game and get two points,” said Franklin, who returned this weekend after winning the gold medal for Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge last week.

Duchesne kicked off the scoring 4:08 into the game with a quick wrister in between the circles, the defenseman’s second goal of the year. A little over a minute later a power play strike from Dennis Kravchenko from close in would bring the game to 2-0 Sioux Falls only 5:11 into the night. Goal number two for Duchesne came with 8:30 to go in the first on a long sailing shot deep from the right circle, making it 3-0 Herd.  The Herd defense prevented any semblance of offense from forming for Tri-City in the period, holding the Storm to three unsuccessful shots on goal.

“We caught a team a little bit tired and jumped on them early,” said head coach Cary Eades. “I thought our passes were on the tape tonight and we made a lot of real good decisions.”

Keith “Bubba” Burchett kept the Herd rolling with his sixth score of the season at 1:41, putting the Herd comfortably on top 4-0 over the Storm.  Sioux Falls enjoyed another dominant performance by their defense in the period, allowing only five shots on Jacobson and eight through forty minutes.

“We were definitely clicking tonight,” said Franklin. “It was feeling good and we came out here and did our thing.”

Two more goals in the third period by Griffen Molino and Franklin, respectively, only added icing to the cake, allowing the Herd to coast to a big 6-0 win at home.  Sioux Falls finished the game 1-for- 3 on the power play while the penalty kill stymied all 3 Tri City man advantages.  The Herd are now 2-0-1 three games into their five game homestand, getting at least a point in each game so far.

“It’s a great home rink,” said Eades.  “We just want to keep that home cooking going.”

The Herd will return to the Arena next Friday and Saturday versus Indiana and Fargo. Game times are 7:05 PM each night.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Stampede