Buccaneers weekly
Published on December 4, 2008 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
Game Preview
This Thursday, December 4th the Bucs will face of against the Fargo Force for the frst tme this season. Fargo is ranked 5th in the West Division standings with a record of 7 wins and 12 losses. The Force is coming of of a win against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Fargo has a powerplay percentage of 12.61 and a penalty kill percentage of 84.09 compared to the Bucs' 20.56 powerplay percentage and 76.29 penalty kill percentage.
Saturday, December 6th the Bucs will host the Chicago Steel rank 5th in the East Division standings with a record of 10 wins and 9 losses. The Steel have a 16.10 powerplay percentage and a 81.82 penalty kill percentage. The Bucs' defense will focus on shutng out number 61, Eric Alexander, who is the league's leading scorer with 13 total goals on the season.
Week in Review
The Bucs celebrated Thanksgiving Thursday by hostng their rivals, the Omaha Lancers in front of a crowd of 2,871. The game began explosively with two goals made by Alex Chiasson and Nick Pryor in 1:44 minutes of the frst period. The frst period proved to be an intense one with a fght between H.T. Lenz and CJ Ludwig, which resulted in a game ejecton for Lenz. The Bucs' ofense would not be able to get on the board again untl the third period when Josh Balch scored two consecutve goals. Omaha would win the game, 6-4.
Last Friday, the Bucs were on the road to face the Chicago Steel. Rocco Carzo scored lone goal for the Bucs in the frst period. The Bucs were one for six on powerplays and Chicago was one for nine on powerplays. Chicago won the game, 5-1.
The Bucs faced Cedar Rapids on Saturday night. Rocco Carzo scored the frst goal on a powerplay in the frst period. Jake Youso would score the Bucs only other goal in the third period. The RougRiders won the game, 9-2.
Buccaneer Statistics
The Buccaneers fnished last week with three losses against Omaha, Chicago, and Cedar Rapids. The team is 2-12 at home and 0-8-1 on the road, with an overall record of 2-12-3.
The Bucs currently have a powerplay percent- age of 20.56 and a penalty kill percentage of 81.82. They have 531 shots on goal and a shot percentage of .104.
Bret Bruneteau is currently ted at the 12th spot in the USHL for total points scored with 18 points on the season. Ryan Walters is ted at the 23rd spot with 16 points on the season. Josh Blach is currently ted at the 28th spot with 15 total points on the season.
Goalie Freddy Bergman is ranked 26th in the league with 4.78 goals against average while Aaron Crandall is ranked 27th with a goals against average of 5.29.
Buccaneer Spotlight
Forward Mat White has commited to University of North Dakota. Coached by Dave Hakstol, UND is currently 5-8-1 overall and 4-5-1 in conference play. White, a natve of Pennsylvania, has played two seasons with the Bucs. Forward Yasin Cisseé has commited to Boston University. Coached by Jack Parker, eighth ranked BU is currently 9-4-0 and 4-4-0 in conference play. Cissé, a natve of Canda, has played one season with the Bucs.
This week the Bucs are bringing up young goaltender, Michael Houser. He currently plays for the Litle Caesars AAA Hockey Club. Houser had a 1.19 goals against average and a .954 save percentage during USA Hockey Tier 1 U16 Natonals. He tended goal for the Bucs November 15th against Sioux Falls. Houser allowed fve goals and put up a 4.07 goals against average. He also had 29 saves with a 0.879 save percentage. He has been described as agile and fundamentally sound.
Two former Buccaneers have found themselves injured this week. New York Islander Kyle Okopso remains on the injured reserve due to an arm injury. He is expected to be out for at least one week. He has played in 18 games with two goals, three assists, and fve points. University of Minnesota forward Taylor Matson caught his skate blade on the ice Friday night resultng in a season ending injury. Matson has played in 19 games and has scored 1 goal and 1 point.
Upcoming Events
December 12th - Fargo Force vs. Des Moines Buccaneers - 7:00 p.m. - Make sure to wear your ugliest holiday sweater to the game for a chance to win two round trip airline tckets courtesy of Allegiant Air. Also, bring a new toy and donate it to Toys for Tots and receive $2.00 of your admission to the game that night.
December 13th - Sioux Falls Stampede vs. Des Moines Buccaneers - 7:00 p.m. - The frst 1500 fans will receive a pair of thunderstck courtesy of Coca-Cola. It's also KCCI Kid's Free Night! Kid's get in free with a paid admission. Bring a new teddy bear and throw it on the ice afer the Bucs frst goal in our annual Teddy Bear Toss!
United States Hockey League Stories from December 4, 2008
- Bucs Win on the Road, 4-2 - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Bucs Beat Force in Fargo 4-2 - Des Moines Buccaneers
- RoughRiders in the Spirit of the Season - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- RoughRiders' Seidel Bound for Minnesota-Duluth - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Stampede add Vrachnas to roster - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Buccaneers weekly - Des Moines Buccaneers
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