USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Survive Scare from Phantoms, Win 5-4 Saturday Night

Published on December 8, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa -The Youngstown Phantoms lost by a score of 5-1 to the Dubuque Fighting Saints Friday, and Saturday night trailing 5-1 late in the second period, Youngstown was determined to have a different fate. The Phantoms scored the games final three goals, but their comeback attempt was not enough as the Dubuque Fighting Saints held on for a 5-4 win this evening at the Mystique Community Ice Center. With the win, the Fighting Saints swept the weekend series versus Youngstown, and improved to 4-0-0 versus the Phantoms this season.

A goal late in the second period from Youngstown's Kyle Connor on a breakaway made it 5-2 in favor of Dubuque with just 12 seconds remaining in the period. Dubuque's defense was caught flat-footed and Connor roofed a shot over Dubuque goaltender Connor Girard to cut the lead to three.

With momentum, Youngstown struck on a powerplay early in the third period to cut the lead to two goals. With Dubuque's Mike Downing in the box, 6-foot-4 forward Alfred Larsson crashed the net and knocked in the third whack at the puck off a rebound from a wrist shot for the goal to make it 5-3 at 1:14 of the period. Presumably looking to change the momentum and light a fire under the Fighting Saints, Head Coach Jim Montgomery elected to pull Girard for Arthur Brey after the third goal.

The Phantoms would sneak a puck past Brey at 13:36 as Tommy Davis joined the play and deflected a pass beyond Brey's right pad to cut the lead to one at 5-4. That would be as close as Youngstown would get. Despite Dubuque receiving a too-many-men on the ice penalty in the game's final two minutes, Youngstown was unable to score with Romeo pulled for an extra attacker. Girard made several strong saves early in the game, and Brey continued that making a giant save on Youngstown forward Alex Dahl late in the game that would have tied the score.

Frankie DiChiara notched a pair of goals for the Fighting Saints in the first period to held Dubuque to the nail-biting victory. DiChiara helped push the Saints to a 3-0 lead after one period. The big forward tallied the games first goal at the 15:16 mark of the first period, sniping a wrist shot off the post and past Youngstown goaltender Sean Romeo. The goal was DiChiara's ninth of the season and was setup by a great pass by John Stevens.

After Tyler Spezia scored 20 seconds later off a deflection from a Mike Downing shot to make it 2-0, DiChiara struck again late in the period, one-timing a pass from Peter Quenneville for his tenth goal of the season. At 19:33, Quenneville skated down the right wing side and slide a backhanded pass in front to DiChiara who knocked it past Romeo with a snapshot.

In the second period the Fighting Saints would also get goals from Jarrid Privitera and Keegan Ford. Privitera's goal was setup by Seamus Malone who made numerous fantastic moves, dancing around the Youngstown defense before falling to the ice and sending a pass to Privitera who scored on a shot that was low along the ice at 10:18. Ford would add the eventual game winner at 15:08, firing a wrist shot from the point that found its way through traffic and eluded Romeo.

Girard was credited with the win in goal for the Fighting Saints, making 14 saves and improving to 6-2-1. Dubuque was 1-for-4 on the powerplay and Youngstown was 2-for-6. The Fighting Saints improved to a league best 19-3-1 with the win and stayed perfect on home ice, upping their record to 12-0-0.

The Fighting Saints are at home next weekend for a pair of games. On Friday, December 14, the Fighting Saints battle with Team USA U-18 at 7:35 p.m. That evening is the third-annual Santa Presents: Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Queen B Radio. Santa will be on hand for the game, and fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear for Toys for Tots. When the Fighting Saints score their first goal, fans will throw the teddy bears on the ice. Saturday night the Fighting Saints take on the Chicago Steel as it is "The Last Saints Game Ever," at 7:05 p.m. Playing off the Mayan theory that the world will end December 21, the Fighting Saints are throwing one last bash...just in case of the worst. Tickets are available for both nights by calling 563.583.6880 or by visiting DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2012


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