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 Des Moines Buccaneers

Bucs Weekend Notes

February 19, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


Home Games this Week

Friday 7pm vs. Chicago (Iowa Donor Network Silent Auction

Saturday 7pm vs. Sioux City (3rd annual Animal Rescue League Doxie Dash Weiner Dog Races)

Firing Shots on Net - The Des Moines Buccaneers are 10-6-2 when they register a minimum of 31 shots on goal. The Buccaneers are averaging 29 shots per game, 12th in the USHL.

Streaking - Danny Elser (four games) and Patrick Grasso (three games) are both on individual season-highs for point streaks. No Buccaneer has had a streak lasting more than four games this season. Collecting Points The Buccaneers enter the weekend on a three-game point streak (2-0-1) and by earning at least a single point on Friday will match their longest point streak of the season. Des Moines had a four-game point streak in early December (3-0-1).

Ruck Standing Out - Goaltender Ryan Ruck has been fantastic in the second half of the season with a GAA of 2.53 and save percentage of .926 since the start of January. Reaching .500% In order for the Buccaneers to finish with a record that is statistically .500% or better, they must win at least 12 of their final 18 games. That would end the season with a 28-27-5 record.

Staying out of the Box - The Buccaneers have been short-handed 186 times, the fifth fewest amount in the USHL. However, for fans looking to place blame on the officials, Des Moines has been on the power play just 178 times which is the second fewest in the USHL. Improvement The Buccaneers currently have seven skaters who played in at least 20 games last season with Ryan Galt and Tanner Karty having the most noticeable improvement, having matched their point totals from last year already. Both have equaled the 26 points they accumulated last season.

Starting Hot - The Buccaneers are 7-4-2 in games in which they score a first period goal. Des Moines has scored in the first period in three straight games. Offense Awakens After a month of offensive frustration, the Buccaneers rattled the Fargo Force like a speed bag last Saturday by scoring seven goals. It's the second most goals in a game for the Bucs (they scored nine on Jan. 4 vs. Fargo), and the six scored in the second period alone matched a season high (also occurred Jan. 4th vs. Fargo). Seven different players scored a goal with Danny Elser and Patrick Grasso finishing with a goal and two assists each. Prior to last Saturday, the Buccaneers had scored 15 goals in the last 11 games.

Getting More Chances - The Buccaneers fired 43 shots on goal in their 7-0 win over Fargo on February 4th and outshot an opponent for the first time since Dec. 27th vs. Cedar Rapids. Des Moines started hot early with 19 shots on goal in the first period, matching a season-high. The Buccaneers are 6-4-2 when outshooting their opponent.

Annual Doxie Dash Approaching - The third annual "Doxie Dash" presented by the Animal Rescue League will be held February 22nd. Nearly 50 wiener dogs will race on the ice during the first intermission, raising money for the ARL of Central Iowa. Dog registrations were sold out before February, a new record for the event.

Strong Penalty Kill - Des Moines hasn't allowed a power play goal against in nine of the last 12 games and the penalty kill has been effective 93% (45/48) of the time


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United States Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2014


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