Fighting Saints Even Series with 3-1 Win Saturday
April 30, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - The Dubuque Fighting Saints scored twice in the second period and never looked back, skating to a 3-1 victory Saturday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Fighting Saints goaltender Jaxon Castor denied 34 of 35 Steel shots. Eduards Tralmaks scored the lone goal for the Steel.
The best-of-five series is now tied, 1-1, with Games 3 and 4 scheduled for next weekend at Dubuque. If a Game 5 is necessary, the action will shift back to Geneva on Tuesday night, May 9.
Dubuque defenseman Veli-Matti Tiuraniemi opened the scoring at the 10:52 mark of the second period. Off a faceoff, Tiuraniemi received a pass at the high slot and sent a wrist shot through traffic and past Steel netminder Ales Stezka.
Later in the frame, the Saints found themselves on a 5-on-3 power play, and Patrick Kudla blasted a one-timer past Stezka's blocker at 18:05.
Dubuque increased its lead to 3-0 following a breakaway goal from Austin Rueschhoff at 12:45 of the third period.
At the 13:40 mark, the Steel ended Castor's shutout bid when Tralmaks cashed in a rebound. Jack Badini's shot was stopped by Castor, but the rebound kicked out to Tralmaks at the bottom of the right-wing circle, and Castor was unable to get back in position as Tralmaks fired a shot behind the netminder's back.
The Steel pulled Stezka late in the game but were unable to light the lamp, falling on home ice for the first time in the playoffs. Tralmaks' goal was his fourth of the postseason, tying the USHL lead along with teammates Badini and Reggie Lutz. Badini's point streak was extended to six games with his assist on Chicago's lone goal.
Game 3 takes place Friday, May 5 at Mystique Ice Center in Dubuque at 7:35 p.m. Game 4, also at Dubuque, takes place the following night at 7:05 p.m. If the teams split the weekend, the series will head back to the Fox Valley on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:05 p.m.
All Steel games are broadcasted live on HockeyTV (video) and mixlr.com/chicago-steel (free audio). For tickets or more information, call 855-51-STEEL, stop by the Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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