Saints One Win Away from Clark Cup Final with 3-1 Win Saturday
Published on April 27, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa- They have a long bus ride in front of them Saturday evening, but the trip won't seem as lengthy for the Dubuque Fighting Saints knowing they are only one win away from advancing to the Clark Cup Final. Frankie DiChiara's third period goal helped Dubuque earn a 3-1 win over the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center to take a 2-0 series lead, and the Fighting Saints will head to Youngstown with a chance to take the series Monday night.
After a scoreless first period that saw Dubuque outshoot Youngstown 13-5 and dictate the play, the scoring started with both teams registering goals in back-to-back fashion in period two. Alfred Larsson gave the Phantoms their first lead of the series on a goal at 3:08. Marcus McCrea worked the puck from behind the goal to Larsson who fired a shot off Dubuque goalie Arthur Brey's skate. The rebound popped right back to Larsson and his second attempt found a hole between Brey's pad and the left post to make it 1-0 Youngstown.
All season long the Fighting Saints were know for responding quickly to opponents' goals, and Saturday evening was no different. Just 33 seconds after Larsson's goal, Dubuque blueliner Kyle McKenzie scored his first goal of the playoffs on a shot that floated over Youngstown goalie Sean Romeo's blocker to tie the game. McKenzie got the puck on the left wing side half-boards and scored the equalizer on a wrist shot that found its way through a maize of traffic and past a screened Romeo.
Dubuque took the lead in the third period with an early strike by Frankie DiChiara who notched his third goal of the postseason. DiChiara's goal turned out to be the game-winning tally and was assisted by Karson Kuhlman and Niklas Nevalainen at 2:37. DiChiara collected the puck behind the goal and executed a wrap-around, beating Romeo to the right post and tucking a shot in to make it 2-1 Dubuque.
Youngstown again attempted to fight its way back into the game and had a close call on a shot from the blueline just moments after DiChaira's goal. The puck snuck through Brey's gear and rolled to the goalline where a diving Mike Downing made an amazing play to sweep the puck away and keep the score 2-1.
The Fighting Saints would add an empty net goal with only 12.3 second to play thanks to Karson Kuhlman's speed. The forward registered his fourth goal of the playoffs after winning a foot race to the puck in the Phantoms zone to seal the win for the Fighting Saints.
Brey improved to 5-0-0 in the playoffs and made 23 saves in the win for the Fighting Saints. The Fighting Saints were 1-for-2 on the man advantage. Youngstown did not have a powerplay in the game.
The series moves to Youngstown for Game 3 on Monday night. Puck drop is at 6:15 p.m. Central Time and fans can watch the game at Hammerhead's Bar and Billards at 2095 Kerper Boulevard. Hammerhead's Bar and Billiards will be hosting a Watch Party that evening and there is no cost to attend. Game 4, if necessary, would be Tuesday in Youngstown at 6:15 p.m. Central Time. If a winner-take-all Game 5 is needed it would be played at the Mystique Community Ice Center on Saturday, May 4 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for that game, and all possible Clark Cup Final games are on sale at DubuqueFightingSaints.com. Fans are encouraged to purchase these tickets to guarantee the best seats possible, and if the games were not to be played, fans would be refunded.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 27, 2013
- Saints One Win Away from Clark Cup Final with 3-1 Win Saturday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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