Henderson, NV – The 12th seeded Sioux Falls Power hockey team fell to the fifth-seeded Dallas Stars Elite 6-4 on Tuesday, April 2 in the opening game of the 16U Tier 1 USA Hockey national tournament in Henderson, NV.
The Power and Stars met in the tournament’s first game, held in the America First Center, the practice facility for the Las Vegas Knights of the NHL. The Knights’ drumline, cheerleaders, and mascots created a rousing atmosphere.
The Stars scored just 79 seconds into the opening period, starting a run of six straight goals to take a 6-0 lead. They held the Power scoreless through two periods, doubling Sioux Falls’ shot total, 34-17. But Sioux Falls got on the board with just over 10 minutes left in the third period.
Sioux Falls defenseman Nate Hauff describes the momentum shift . . .
The Power scored three more times, still trailing 6-4, but putting Dallas on its heels and bringing the game within two goals with 2:43 remaining. Although Sioux Falls pulled goalie Luke Carrithers, leaving an empty net and giving the Power an extra skater, Dallas held on to win. Pierre native Carter Sanderson, who had an assist in the third period, described the game…
Coach Noelle Needham articulates the team’s focus as they left the locker room to start the third period…
Sanderson talks about the intensity of a 60-plus game season, and the preparation involved . . .
Needham previews the Power’s game tomorrow versus the Mid-Fairfield Jr. Rangers . . .
The Power have two remaining games in pool play, the Mid-Fairfield Jr. Rangers at 6:30 P.M. pacific on April 3 and the Chicago Mission at 4:00 P.M. pacific on April 4. The top two teams in the pool will advance to the quarterfinals on Friday, April 5. All games are streamed on Hockey TV (www.hockeytv.com).
Additional information available at: https://nationals.usahockey.com/2024youthtieri16u .
Story Credit to Nathan Sanderson and Picture Credit to Tiffany Sanderson
