Game 1 Postgame Report - Sioux Falls at Lincoln

Final Score: Sioux Falls 1, Lincoln 6

At the Ice Box on Friday night, the Lincoln Stars used 4 first period goals to catapult themselves to a 6-1 victory over the visiting Sioux Falls Stampede, and a 1-0 lead in their Best-of-Five first round series. Scoring goals for the Stars were Jimmy Siers, Jake Newton (2), Garrett Peterson, and Garrett Vermeersch (2). 11 Stars players had at least one point in this game. Stars netminder Kevin Murdock started in net, and stopped 35 of 36 shots on goal for his first playoff win. Lincoln put an incredible 40 shots on goal in the first two periods, and outshot the Stampede 45-36 for the game.

'Pede goaltender Eric "I get cranky when I don't have my pacifier" Hartzell was yanked by his daddy head coach Kevin Hartzell after giving up the fourth Lincoln goal. Eric Harzell also received a 10min misconduct after mixing it up with Stars forward Kory Kaunisto after the fourth goal. I've seen this kid blow up quite a few times at the Ice Box. It's strange, because the kid has talent. But for whatever reason, he has a hair trigger temper, and the Stars seem to know just the right buttons to push to send him off the deep end.

I've mentioned this before, but Jimmy Siers is really underrated as a forward. I think folks outside of Lincoln tend to label him as a meathead, or just another Stars enforcer. The guy hustles after every loose puck, and throws his body at anything that moves. He has more offensive talent than people give him credit for. He can do more than just hurt you with his fists, and that showed tonight. Siers had one goal, one assist, three shots on goal, and was +2 on the night.

Despite the blowout win, you'd have to figure that the 'Pede will come out Saturday night very hungry, and ready for a fight. It's important that the Stars use the home crowd and get off to a fast start once again. I hope that Boone Bruggman is the ref again Saturday night, as I believe he did a great job of just letting the guys play. There were quite a few calls in game one, but most were coincidental minors.

I'm starting to shake this nasty flu/cold bug I've been dealing with the last week, so I hope to be in the crowd Saturday night. Looking forward it! Pack the house! BE LOUD!! GO STARS!!