Saints Battle Back, But Fall to USA U-18 in Shootout
January 18, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
ANN ARBOR, MI- The Dubuque Fighting Saints took the ice with vengeance Sunday afternoon. After dropping a 7-1 contest the night before, Dubuque battled back twice in the third period to earn a critical point in the standings against Team USA U-18. In the end, Troy Terry and Matthew Tkachuk scored the lone shootout goals to earn Team USA U-18 a 4-3 in over the Fighting Saints at The Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, MI.
After a tough loss the night prior, the Fighting Saints came out with a spirited start. Their efforts weren't rewarded however as for the second straight day, Team USA U-18 jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Jeremy Bracco opened the scoring for the home team, jamming a rebound past Jacob Nehama's right pad to make it 1-0 at 10:36. Christian Evers shot from the left point was tipped by Jordan Greenway, and Bracco punched in the rebound for his second goal of the weekend.
Just 29 seconds later, Team USA U-18 scored again, this time courtesy of Christian Fischer. A blocked Michael Floodstrand shot sat loose in the slot in front of Nehama. Fischer collected the rebound and beat Nehama with a quick wrist shot to double USA's lead.
Unlike the night prior, the Fighting Saints had a response. 51 seconds after Fischer's goal, Dubuque found the back of the net. Seamus Malone scored his 7th goal of the season off a rebound. Jacob Benson worked the puck back to Andrew Kerr at the right point. He let a wrist shot go that USA goaltender Luke Opilka couldn't handle. The rebound sat loose in the crease and Malone's attempt beat the netminder blocker side to make it 2-1 at 11:56.
In the third period, the Smith Twins, Evan and Mitchell, helped Dubuque even the score. It was Mitchell striking first, stealing the puck in neutral ice and racing in on a breakaway. He maneuvered the puck around Opilka and slid a shot past his left pad to make it 2-2 at 10:02.
After Jordan Greenway put USA back up top with a power play goal at 12:53, this time it was Evan Smith who provided the heroics. Wyatt Ege, forced to play forward rather than defense due to injuries and illness, stole the puck at the blue line and fed a pass to Evan Smith. He raced in on goal and beat Opilka blocker side at 13:32.
Through the rest of the game and overtime, both teams traded chances, but neither team struck.
In the shootout, Terry scored five-hole on Nehama after Mitchell Smith's shot was denied by Opilka. The netminder also stopped Evan Smith the next round, before Tkachuk beat Nehama over the blocker to win the game.
Dubuque went 0-for-6 on the power play in the game, while USA was 1-for-4. USA outshot Dubuque 39-37.
The Fighting Saints return home next Friday, January 23 for "Kids Run the Rink" presented by ManorCare of Dubuque. Dubuque hosts the Des Moines Buccaneers that evening at 7:35 and tickets start at just $10. Fans may purchase by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from January 18, 2015
- Storm Get Six Goal Output to Sweep Thunder - Tri-City Storm
- Early Surge Too Much for Thunder - Bloomington Thunder
- Saints Battle Back, But Fall to USA U-18 in Shootout - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Storm Back for Sunday Afternoon Game - Bloomington Thunder
- Hawks Head Home Victorious - Waterloo Black Hawks
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