Fighting Saints Come Back to Win 4-3 in Overtime in Muskegon
Published on January 29, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
MUSKEGON, Michigan - The Fighting Saints rallied in the third period and prevailed in overtime, winning 4-3 over the Muskegon Lumberjacks and finishing with a 2-1 record on their three-game weekend roadtrip.
Tyler Lundey got the Fighting Saints started in the first period, taking advantage of an Eliot Grauer feed to put Dubuque ahead. Jake Downing worked the puck up to Grauer, who lured John Keeney out of position with a move to the left post. Grauer fed the puck back through the crease for an easy tap-in for Lundey. Muskegon responded with a goal shortly thereafter. Adam Chlapik won a faceoff back to Rasmus Bengtsson, who drove the puck towards the net. Chlapik redirected the blast past Connor Girard to tie the game at one. With the Fighting Saints on a 5-on-3 penalty kill late in the period, a Ryan Bullock drive from the point give Muskegon a 2-1 lead.
Neither team scored in the second period. The Fighting Saints killed off the remnants of a five minute major penalty for a check from behind that had been assessed to Matt Caito at the end of the first period, and the Lumberjacks killed off four penalties in the frame themselves. Keeney made 26 saves through the first 40 minutes, and Girard had 19 for the Fighting Saints.
The Fighting Saints tied the game early in the third period with Eliot Grauer hanging on to the puck while on a 2-on-1 with Tyler Lundey, and firing it through Keeney's five-hole. Lundey and Garrett Cecere picked up assists on the play. With under five minutes remaining in regulation, Gerard Hanson sent the puck towards the net from the right circle, and it leaked past Keeney to give the Fighting Saints the lead. Kevin Morris and Shane Sooth were credited with assists on the goal. Muskegon tied the game on an extra attacker goal in the final minute of regulation, with Ryan Lomberg knocking home a rebound from a Ryan Bullock shot.
Midway through overtime, with the Fighting Saints on the powerplay, Mike Downing blasted a shot through the slot and past Keeney to deliver the 4-3 win for the Fighting Saints. Milos Bubela sent the puck to Downing from the left wing to set up the game-winner. Connor Girard made 25 saves in the win, his first in the USHL.
The Fighting Saints will return home next weekend, hosting Youngstown and Indiana on Friday and Saturday nights. The Fighting Saints will play nine games in February, seven of which will be played at home, and all of which will be played within 90 miles of the Key City.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2012
- Jacks Fight Back, But Saints Pull out Overtime Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Balanced Offense Guides Lancers 6-2 Past Fargo - Omaha Lancers
- Fighting Saints Come Back to Win 4-3 in Overtime in Muskegon - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Hawks Cruise Past Buccaneers - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Fighting Saints to Wrap up Road Trip this Evening in Muskegon - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm Rally Down Two Goals, Win 3-2 in S.O. - Tri-City Storm
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