Played on Jan 16, 2026
Game Played in Liberty First Credit Union Arena
General Game Notes: January 16, 2026 – Omaha, NE – Des Moines skated into enemy territory and came away with extra points, edging the Omaha Lancers 4-3 in overtime on Friday night. Blake Zielinski (#10) powered the Des Moines offense with a two-goal performance, while Ryan Seelinger (#37) sealed the victory with the game-winning goal in overtime. The tightly contested matchup saw momentum swing throughout regulation before Seelinger’s OT tally proved to be the difference, lifting Des Moines to the road win.
Joey Argentina (C, R, 5’8″, 157, Des Moines Buccaneers, 09/04/2007)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Argentina scored a clean, well-timed goal by jumping into the rush as a trailer, finding space, and ripping a quick-release shot that beat the goaltender clean. His ability to locate that seam was impressive — he timed it perfectly to avoid the back-check and get the puck off immediately. Throughout the game, he did a lot of the little things right: winning puck battles, making smart reads, and limiting mistakes. He’s the type of player who may not always show up on the highlight reel, but his consistency and attention to detail make him valuable in every shift.
Henry Major (LW, L, 5’8″, 177, Des Moines Buccaneers, 03/19/2007, Cornell)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Major is a speedy forward who plays with pace and consistently pushes the tempo. He’s creative with the puck and makes nifty plays that showcase his soft hands and strong vision. He’s the type of player who can draw defenders toward him and then distribute to teammates in open ice, especially when they have more time and space. While he isn’t the most physical player and can be less consistent in defensive situations, he can still contribute offensively with his skill set and playmaking instincts.
Blake Zielinski (RW, R, 6’0″, 192, Des Moines Buccaneers, 03/05/2008, Providence)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Zielinski makes something happen almost every shift he’s on the ice. He has a direct impact on the game through his ability to read plays, make plays with the puck, and elevate those around him. He’s effective carrying pucks through the offensive zone, protecting possession not with his body, but with his speed and soft hands. Zielinski consistently finds teammates in scoring areas, showcasing strong vision and a high hockey IQ as he reads pressure and exploits seams. He also owns a heavy shot, making him a legitimate scoring threat-as seen on Des Moines’ first goal, where he flanked out and ripped a one-timer that beat the goaltender clean. Whether it was slipping passes through traffic, getting pucks on net, or attacking downhill, Zielinski was a constant catalyst in the offensive zone, finishing the night with two goals and a decisive influence on the game.
Owen Tylec (C, L, 5’11”, 175, Des Moines Buccaneers, 10/16/2006, Notre Dame)
Game Rating
B
Tylec’s exceptional speed and agility allowed him to create numerous high-quality scoring chances in the offensive zone. He demonstrated impressive vision by consistently looking to make extra passes, setting up his linemates with grade A scoring opportunities. His ability to maintain possession and find passing lanes was also noteworthy, as he used his edges and made quick turns to control the pace of play. What stood out most about this player’s game was his patience and hockey sense. He waited for the right moment to strike, rather than forcing plays or throwing pucks away recklessly. This allowed him to create opportunities in tight areas and showcase his ability to make an impact even when goals were hard to come by.
1 Viewing
Comments: Tylec is a speedy forward who can weave in and out of traffic with the puck, making him a dangerous threat-especially off the rush. He’s equally effective attacking defenders with pace or stopping on a dime, cutting back, and finding the second wave of offense. He shows poise with the puck, holding onto possession under pressure and calmly distributing to open teammates in scoring areas, or delivering clean, tape-to-tape passes through the neutral zone to maintain control. A strong example of his game came in overtime, when he hunted down a loose puck, won the battle, and quickly moved it to a teammate attacking with speed, turning effort into instant offense.
Riley Zupfer (C, L, 6’0″, 172, Des Moines Buccaneers, 12/17/2008, Notre Dame)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Zupfer is a reliable two-way forward who contributes at both ends of the ice. He makes simple, intelligent plays in the defensive zone, showing a clear understanding of when to execute the hard play and when to move the puck efficiently out of danger. His hockey IQ carries over to the offensive zone, where he consistently finds quiet ice and puts himself in position to get pucks to the net. Zupfer can both pass and shoot, making him a dual threat and highlighting his versatility. Overall, he brings value in all facets of the game and can be trusted in a variety of situations.
Ryan Seelinger (LW, R, 5’11”, 188, Des Moines Buccaneers, 08/07/2005, Miami (Ohio))
Game Rating
B+
1 Viewing
Comments: Seelinger is a constant offensive threat when he’s on the ice, driven by his patience, hockey IQ, and quick-release shot. He and his linemates made a direct impact throughout the game, consistently maintaining puck possession and generating sustained offensive pressure. His overtime winner was a perfect example of his game: he wheeled around the offensive zone untouched, protected the puck, and showed composure by waiting out coverage until a lane opened. From the high slot, he stepped into a snap shot and ripped it top shelf, beating the goaltender clean. Beyond the goal, Seelinger created numerous offensive looks over the full 60 minutes, showcasing his creativity, puck skills, and ability to connect seamlessly with his linemates.
Kole Hyles (RW, R, 6’1″, 196, Omaha Lancers, 01/16/2006, New Hampshire)
Game Rating
B
Hyles is a skilled left winger who possesses a strong shooting ability, particularly from the flanks during power play situations. He effectively uses his agility to slip into open spaces and release powerful shots that can create scoring opportunities regardless of traffic in front. In addition to his shot, Hyles also displays a gritty, physical presence on the ice, using his strength and endurance to maintain possession and battle for space in tight areas. This combination of skill and determination makes him a formidable force in the offensive zone.
1 Viewing
Comments: Hyles opened the scoring for the Lancers with a dazzling individual effort. He pressured the puck carrier, poked the puck free, then put his explosive speed on full display, bursting in alone and snapping a quick-release shot past the goaltender on the breakaway. The goal perfectly encapsulated what makes him so effective: tenacious on the puck, powerful on his skates, and a constant scoring threat when he gets to the right areas. He brings an ideal blend of size, skill, and grit, making him a reliable, high-impact player in all three zones and a trusted option on both the power play and penalty kill.
Yegor Kim (C, L, 5’10”, 154, Omaha Lancers, 07/14/2008)
Game Rating
B-
Yegor Kim demonstrated solid skillset in this game, particularly on power play situations. He effectively utilized space on the half wall to generate quality shots, often finding himself with clean looks through traffic. Kim displayed good situational awareness, reading defensive coverage and timing his attacks when opportunities arose. By taking pucks directly to the crease, he created second-chance scoring chances for his team.
1 Viewing
Comments: Kim is a strong skater with excellent edgework, capable of attacking defenders with pace and using sharp cutbacks to create time and space for himself and his linemates. He’s elusive and shifty, consistently making high-end plays with the puck on his stick. As a dual-threat forward, Kim blends playmaking instincts with a legitimate scoring touch, making him difficult for defenders to read or contain. His hockey IQ and skill set really shine on the power play, where added time and space allow him to manipulate coverage, dictate tempo, and generate quality chances.
Lefty Markonidis (LW, L, 5’10”, 199, Omaha Lancers, 04/29/2005, Union)
Game Rating
B-
Lefty Markonidis showcased his agility and ball control skills during the game, effortlessly maneuvering through tight spaces with precision. His ability to stickhandle around defenders and release pucks quickly on net demonstrated his overall hockey acumen.
1 Viewing
Comments: Markonidis plays with pace and consistently pushes pucks up the ice, using his feet to drive play and attack off the rush. He looks to involve his linemates with well-timed kick passes and hard net drives, keeping defenders on their heels. He plays fast and is tenacious on pucks, both with it and without it. His commitment to the backcheck stands out, underscoring his understanding that strong defensive habits fuel offense. Competitive and reliable, Markonidis brings energy and purpose every shift, making him a consistent presence shift in and shift out.
Charlie Vig (LW, L, 6’4″, 187, Omaha Lancers, 02/01/2007, Bemidji State)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Vig is a big, power-forward-type player with skill and a strong presence around the net. He consistently gets to scoring areas, using his size and willingness to play inside to his advantage. He crashes the crease and stays there, leaning on defenders and wearing them down over the course of the game. His frame gives him an edge in puck protection and board battles, and he competes physically without sacrificing puck skills-something that showed on the scoresheet with a well-earned assist. Overall, with his blend of speed, size, and touch, Vig projects as a valuable power-forward with a modern flair to his game.
Drake Gram (D, R, 5’10”, 163, Omaha Lancers, 01/16/2008, Lindenwood)
Game Rating
B-
1 Viewing
Comments: Gram isn’t the most physical defender, but he’s comfortable with the puck and shows strong poise in transition. He plays with patience on breakouts, keeping his head up and making smart reads to move the puck up the ice cleanly. He had several solid shifts, and his presence in overtime stood out – controlling play and demonstrating that he can contribute not only defensively, but offensively as well.
Ryder Reynolds (D, R, 6’1″, 182, Omaha Lancers, 11/19/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Reynolds is a right-shot defenseman with strong skating ability who can carry the puck up the ice on his own. He isn’t afraid to jump into the rush, opening his hips to buy time and survey the ice before making a play. At times he can look a bit clunky with the puck, but he plays with confidence and still finds ways to make effective plays. In overtime, he had a few shifts where he carried the puck up the ice, attacked, and generated offense with his speed and ability to push the pace. He’s a bit raw, but there’s clear upside to his game.
Adam Israilov (LW, L, 6’1″, 181, Omaha Lancers, 10/16/2008)
Game Rating
B+
Israilov’s skillset is characterized by his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He exhibits patience when possessing the puck, allowing him to deceive defenders before making a precise pass or moving into a prime scoring position. His quick release on shots makes it difficult for goalies to anticipate the trajectory of the puck. In addition to his on-ice skillset, Israilov is also physically active and adept at winning battles in tight spaces.
1 Viewing
Comments: Israilov unloaded an absolute bomb of a one-timer from the half wall on the power play. He flanked out away from traffic and, despite putting himself in a tighter shooting lane than necessary, ripped a bullet top shelf, picking the corner with precision. It was an elite release, combining both power and accuracy. Beyond the goal, Israilov consistently created offense with his puck skills and poise. He’s the type of player who can hold onto pucks and refuses to throw them away blindly. Though a bit wiry, he creates turnovers with an active stick and has a knack for getting to scoring areas, both with and without the puck.
Tommy Spencer (C, R, 5’6″, 172, Omaha Lancers, 02/18/2007)
Game Rating
B-
Spencer’s performance in the game was characterized by his skillset. He demonstrated strong faceoff abilities, consistently winning draws across all three zones. His footwork was impressive, allowing him to win puck battles and drive hard to the net. Off the rush, Spencer showed quickness and agility, able to stop on a dime and make plays with speed and precision. These skills made him a dynamic presence in the game.
1 Viewing
Comments: Spencer was strong in the faceoff circle, winning draws in all three zones and playing a pivotal role in maintaining puck possession. He shows skill with the puck and makes clean, efficient passes, limiting turnovers and keeping plays alive. Spencer plays on the edge and isn’t afraid to lean into contact, often drawing penalties as a result. He brings a well-rounded blend of skill, grit, and an in-your-face mentality-exactly the type of player opponents hate to play against but every team loves to have in its lineup.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images