Dichiara's OT Goal Gives Saints Sweep of Lumberjac
Published on April 22, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
MUSKEGON, Michigan-The Dubuque Fighting Saints checked out of their hotel in Muskegon Sunday afternoon with no intention of returning. Frankie DiChiara helped his team make good on those intentions, finishing off a sweep of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, taking Sunday's Game 3 by a score of 3-2 in overtime at the L.C. Walker Arena. DiChaira's goal 11:12 into overtime helped Dubuque earn a 3-0 series win over fourth-seeded Muskegon and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, which start next Friday night in Dubuque versus the Youngstown Phantoms.
The Fighting Saints scored a pair of goals in the game's opening frame to quickly take the wind out of Muskegon's sails. Peter Quenneville was credited with a powerplay goal at 12:10 from Shane Sooth and Niklas Nevalainen to put Dubuque up 1-0. Sooth got the puck in the middle of the high slot and fired a slapshot that was denied by Muskegon goalie Kevin Lindskoug. The rebound sat in front of the goal and Mike Szmatula swung away, but it was Quenneville on the right side that got the last poke, knocking the puck under Lindskoug's left pad to give Dubuque the lead.
Minutes later a battle along the boards that saw both Szmatula and Eric Freschi get pelted into by Muskegon's defenders would turn into a goal for Seamus Malone. Freschi and Szmatula outworked the Lumberjacks and dug the puck free to Szmatula behind the net. The forward passed the puck to Malone who cut off the half boards, drifted to the high slot, and wristed a shot past a screened Lindskoug to make it 2-0 Dubuque at 14:43.
The second period saw Dubuque outshoot Muskegon 11-5 but neither team scored. The Lumberjacks had several strong chances but Fighting Saints goaltender Arthur Brey made a big blocker save on Cullen Hurley who streaked in on a breakaway. A little luck was on Brey's side as well, as a Muskegon dump in hit the blade of his stick awkwardly, hit the post and rolled along the goal line before behind swept away.
Muskegon would turn the tides late in the third period. With their season on the line, the Lumberjacks scored a pair of late goals to send the game to overtime. Cullen Hurley struck first at 12:36 on a mad scramble in front of the goal to make it 2-1. Three minutes later Cameron Darcy shoved a rebound past Brey's right pad off a Connor Hurley shot to tie the game at 15:45. Muskegon would control the pace for the final minutes of regulation including a shot from Michael Brodzinski that hit the inside of the goal post.
As overtime came, the play shifted back and forth but ultimately it was the Fighting Saints that prevailed. Frankie DiChiara scored the game-winning goal in overtime at the 11:12 mark to earn the Fighting Saints the 3-2 win and series sweep. After a failed clear by Muskegon, Szmatula worked the puck along the boards and cut to the front of the net. The puck was passed across on the far side to DiChaira who slammed the puck past Lindskoug to send the Fighting Saints pouring over the bench to mob DiChiara.
Brey earned the victory in goal for the Fighting Saints stopping 31 shots. Dubuque outshot Muskegon 34-33.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals is Friday night at 7:35 p.m. at the Mystique Community Ice Center. Game 2 follows on Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for all upcoming home playoff games are on sale at DubuqueFightingSaints.com and by calling 563.583.6880.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 22, 2013
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- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Dichiara's OT Goal Gives Saints Sweep of Lumberjac - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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