USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Force Overtime, Lose 3-2 to Team USA

Published on January 19, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Fighting Saints managed to force overtime against Team USA on Thursday night, but they were unable to get the win, falling 3-2 in the first of three games in three nights.

Through the first twenty minutes, neither team was able to find the back of the net. Both sides benefited from powerplay opportunities, and at the first intermission, the Fighting Saints had outshot Team USA 11-3.

Frankie Vatrano broke the scoreless tie in the second period, slamming home a rebound of a Ryan Hartman shot to give Team USA the 1-0 lead. Just over 90 seconds later, after new Fighting Saints forward Milos Bubela made a big hit to keep the puck in the offensive zone, he worked the puck to Shane Sooth, who scored his sixth goal of the season from the doorstep to tie the game at one. The 1-1 tie would persist into the third period.

Vatrano struck again early on in the third period. Quentin Shore won a faceoff back to Vatrano, who quickly snapped a shot past Matt Morris to give Team USA a 2-1 lead. Eliot Grauer helped the Fighting Saints force overtime when he capitalized on a goalmouth scramble with just under three minutes to play to push the puck across the goalline and tie the game at two. Jake Downing got the assist on the tally. Team USA did not waste time in the overtime frame, however. Just thirty-three seconds into the period, Hartman made a beautiful backhand move to score, giving Team USA the 3-2 win.

The Fighting Saints will go to Cedar Rapids Friday night in search of their fifth win against the RoughRiders this season. On Saturday, the Indiana Ice travel to Dubuque for what will be an important intra-conference game for both teams. The Fighting Saints will play another three games in three days next week, playing at Youngstown, in Ann Arbor against Team USA, and in Muskegon on consecutive nights.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2012


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