Des Moines Buccaneers Weekend Notes

January 15, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release

Halfway Home

The Buccaneers reached the midway point of the season last Friday with their 30th game. Over the last 5 seasons, the Buccaneers have averaged a .460 winning percentage and 28 points through 30 games.

Bucs Add "Major" Defenseman

Finnish born defenseman Jimi Kuronen is expected to make his Buccaneers' debut this weekend. The 18 year old spent the first 35 games of the season with the Oshawa Generals of the Major Junior Ontario Hockey League registering 5pts (2g, 3a) and a +1 rating. He previously played junior hockey in his native Finland and is a veteran of 55 international level games.

Kuronen and fellow Buccaneer Jarkko Parikka share the same advisor, who is also the father of current Minnesota Wild Eric Haula

Nong-Lambert Returns

The Buccaneers expect Urbandale native Willem Nong-Lambert to return to the line-up for the first time since Thanksgiving weekend. The team's reigning rookie of the year and top goal scorer last season, has been limited to only 11 games due to injuries but has still managed 6pts (3g, 3a). Nong-Lambert is slated to attend Western Michigan beginning next season.

Schueneman Standing Out

Defenseman Cory Schueneman has a +9 rating over the first five games in the month of January.

Home Sweet Home

Ryan Galt leads the Buccaneers with 16pts (7g, 9a) at home. He is followed by Tanner Karty who has 14pts (6g, 8a).

Nearing 30

Third year Buccaneer Tanner Karty has scored 27 goals in his 112 game career and is just three away from 30.

Get Out Early

Scoring that first goal has proven to be the key in most Buccaneers' games this season as the team is 7-2-1 (.750%) when scoring first as opposed to 5-14-2 (.286%). The Buccaneers have won their last three games when scoring first.

Des Moines has been limited to only 16 first period goals, but have 64 the rest of the game.

Not Short-Handed

While the Buccaneers are averaging 22 penalty minutes per game, the second most in the USHL, they have been short-handed only 148 times. This is just 10th most in the league.

Christopoulos Playing Well

Despite the loss last Saturday in Waterloo, goaltender Billy Christopoulos made 49 saves on 52 shots. It was his fifth game this season with at least 40 saves.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2014

• Hawks Add Veteran Goalie - Waterloo Black Hawks
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• Fargo Force Trade Goaltender Cam Johnson - Fargo Force
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• Two Ice Players Make College Commitments - Indiana Ice
• Phantoms Notebook - Youngstown Phantoms
• Des Moines Buccaneers Weekend Notes - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Winiecki Will Join Hawks Delegation in St. Cloud - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Saints, One Stop Tax and Accounting, Team up to Raise over $8,100 for University of Iowa Children's - Dubuque Fighting Saints

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