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 Dubuque Fighting Saints

Saints Win Showdown in De Pere, Top Gamblers 6-2

September 20, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DE PERE, Wisconsin- Jacob Benson scored twice, and the Dubuque Fighting Saints capped an excellent preseason with another victory Saturday night. The Fighting Saints topped the Green Bay Gamblers by a score of 6-2 at the De Pere Ice Arena in De Pere, Wisconsin. Dubuque finished the preseason with a 6-0-1 record, and also got goals from Brett Boeing, Willie Knierim, Mitchell Smith and Gordie Green in a physical game.

Green Bay had the game's first key chance, but Dubuque starting goaltender Jacob Nehama was up to the task, robbing Green Bay defenseman Vili Saarijarvi on a partial break after a Dubuque defender had fallen down.

After a few key saves from Nehama, it would be Dubuque who scored both goals in the game's opening period. Boeing, one of nine returning players on Dubuque's roster, opened the scoring for the Fighting Saints. The forward took the puck down the left wing and cut in towards the Gamblers goal. He slid a shot that beat Green Bay netminder Jason Pawlowski from the short side to make it 1-0 Fighting Saints with 9:24 on the clock in the 1st Period.

Boeing would again factor in on the Fighting Saints second goal. With Dubuque on a powerplay due to a major boarding penalty on Green Bay defenseman Mark Yanis, Dubuque peppered Pawloski and the Green Bay goal. The netminder stood tall with several point-blank saves, but the Fighting Saints finally broke through with only 19.9 seconds left in the frame. Boeing's wrist shot from the left wing was stopped by Pawloski's glove, but he could not control the rebound. The loose puck was batted across the crease to Knierim who was camped on the right side of the goal crease. He knocked the puck into the net to give the Fighting Saints a 2-0 advantage.

The second period saw both teams trade chances, but Nehama and Pawloski went head-to-head with key saves on each side. They were replaced, as expected, with 7:55 left in the middle frame as Gavin Nieto took over for Dubuque and Jared Rutledge for Green Bay.

With 4:51 remaining the 2nd Period, the Gamblers were finally able to solve Dubuque. Luc Lalor was hauled down as he cut to the net on a breakaway. He was awarded a penalty shot by referee Robert Lukkason. On the penalty shot, Lalor cut the puck down the middle of the ice and got Nieto to commit to a pokecheck. Lalor then shifted the puck to his backhand and fired a shot over Nieto's catching glove to make it 2-1 Dubuque.

The Fighting Saints would respond late in the period, again on the powerplay. With the man advantage, Dubuque's Seamus Malone worked the puck back to blueline. A point shot missed the net, but was hacked from behind the goal line by Dylan Gambrell. Unaware to the goaltender, the puck sat loose between his feet and Dubuque's Benson took advantage, shoveling the loose puck through the legs of Rutledge to make it 3-1 Dubuque with only 1:54 left in the 2nd Period.

Green Bay wouldn't let Dubuque carry the momentum over to the start 3rd Period. The Gamblers quickly struck only 59 seconds into the period on the powerplay. A cross-ice pass intended to go to a forward camped in front hit a stick, and deflected back door to Ryan Smith for the Gamblers. He chipped a bouncing puck over Nieto's blocker to make it 3-2 Dubuque.

Dubuque would regain its two-goal lead on a mistake by Green Bay goaltender Rutledge just minutes later. Skating down the left wing boards, Mitchell Smith threw a weak shot towards the goal. Rutledge misplayed it, and the puck trickled between his legs and through the five-hole for a goal at 17:07.

The game's physical tone saw Dubuque's Knierim and Anthony Walsh drop the gloves. Both players landed big blows, but Dubuque earned a major powerplay from the affair.

The Fighting Saints would add to its lead on the ensuing powerplay as Benson struck again. With 13:05 remaining in regulation, Benson accepted a cross-ice feed and lifted a one-timer over the blocker of Rutledge and into the top corner to make it 5-2 Fighting Saints.

Dubuque would score once more with under five minutes to play in the game. J.D. Dudek got the puck to Blake Hillman at the left point. He fired a shot towards the front of the goal and Green was left alone in front of the net. He deflected the puck past Rutledge to make it 6-2 Dubuque with 4:37 on the clock to seal the victory for the Fighting Saints.

Saturday's game was played to a near capacity crowd at the De Pere Ice Arena, rather than the Gamblers usual rink, the Resch Center. The game was held at the community rink, as it was a fundraiser for the De Pere Youth Hockey Association.

After a 6-0-1 performance in the preseason, Dubuque opens the regular season on September 27 in Cedar Rapids, and returns home for Opening Night presented by American Trust on Saturday, October 4. The first 3,000 fans will receive a magnetic calendar schedule. Tickets are available by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.


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