Saturday in the USHL

Over the past two to three weeks, I've noticed that 3 UW recruits have really picked up their games a notch. Matt Thurber for Omaha (4 goals and 3 assists in last 4 games) and Chris Hickey (4 goals and 2 assists in last 5 games) for Tri-City have really been racking up offensive points, while Ryan Little's +/- has been great over that same time period (even in last 6 regular season games & +3 at USHL All-Star Game), even though the Gamblers have lost five of those last 6 games.

Ohio doubled up Cedar Rapids 6-3. Justin Cseter finished +2 for Ohio.

Sioux Falls took out Sioux City 5-3. Sam Zabkowicz had two assists and finished +1 for Sioux Falls, while teammate Jake Drewiske had an assist and finished even and Eric Springer finished +1.

Omaha crushed Des Moines 6-2. Matt Thurber was named Second Star of the Game. He scored two goals, had an assist and fought Andrew Panzarella. One of his goals was shorthanded, which is his sixth this year and leads the league (he has twice as many as the next players). Jake Hauswirth was -1 for Omaha and Seth Soley was even. UW recruit Patrick Wiercioch still has not returned to the lineup.

The Gamblers did the unthinkable and won a game, defeating Tri-City 4-3. Kyle Ensign had an assist and was -1 for Green Bay while teammate Ryan Little finished +1. UW recruit Aaron Crandall was not in net for Green Bay. UW recruit Chris Hickey had a goal and an assist for Tri-City and finished even.

Lincoln handled Waterloo 5-3. Taylor Kuypers, Ross Henry and Travis Erstad all finished even for Lincoln. For Waterloo, Brett Olson had two assists and was even, Blake Kessel had an assist and was -1, Brock Monpetit was +1 and both Keegan Meuer and Craig Smith were even. Scott Pavelski did not play in the game.

Indiana and Chicago played to a one all tie. For Chicago, Aaron Scmit was -1 while Brent Gwidt was not active for Indiana.