Late Third Period Goal Ends Saints' Win Streak
January 8, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - A raucous, back-and-forth battle between the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and the Dubuque Fighting Saints ended in one deciding goal. A tally by Jacob Hayhurst in the closing moments of the third period completed a comeback for the visitors in a 4-3 final at the Mystique Community Ice Center on Friday night.
Ultimately, Hayhurst powered home a bouncing puck through a maze of bodies to put the RoughRiders up 4-3. Cedar Rapids' power play struck twice in the game, including on the game-winning goal by Hayhurst.
The RoughRiders responded to a Petter Mî=A4kitalo power play goal in spades. Ross Colton's goal off of a turnover with eight minutes remaining in the second period began the comeback. Four minutes later, Cal Burke pushed a rebound through the open side of Hunter Miska, who was handed just his fifth loss in net this season, to tie the game at three.
Late in the third period, multiple chances presented themselves with the net empty in favor of the extra attacker. Mitchell Smith was denied point-blank by Ben Blacker, who picked up his second consecutive win in as many nights, making 34 saves in the victory.
He would also scramble to keep the puck out of a massive scramble in front of his net in the closing seconds of the action, prompting a whistle and a final faceoff, in which the RoughRiders held on.
Dubuque responded to an early goal against with two goals in short order. Dallas Gerads popped home the rebound of a Zach Solow shot on a delayed penalty to tie the score at one apiece. Then, one minute and 17 seconds later, Evan Smith took advantage of a David Nemecek interference minor, putting a shot through the wickets of Blacker, and put Dubuque up 2-1.
All in all, the Saints put 21 shots on goal in the opening period, which trailed the mark of 22 put on goal in a tussle with Muskegon on November 21.
Colton started the scoring for Cedar Rapids, blasting a one-timer from the right point, eight seconds into a Nathan Sucese hooking minor penalty.
The game did not count towards the Cowbell Cup standings, but it did draw Cedar Rapids to within one standings point of Dubuque, who continues to lead the league with 21 wins and 42 points.
The Fighting Saints will remain home to wrap up the homestand with the Green Bay Gamblers on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. for One Stop Tax Night. The first 1,000 fans to enter Our House will receive a replica Hunter Miska mask as they enter the door. Tickets are going fast, and can be ordered by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or by going online to DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
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