Barron Moves up Ranks in Win over Bucs
Published on January 17, 2026 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
West Des Moines, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (24-9-2-0, 50 pts) won their sixth-straight game in a 4-1 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers (11-17-3-4, 29 pts) on Saturday.
Late in the second period, Michael Barron intercepted a Des Moines pass, followed his shot to the net and swatted the rebound out of mid-air for his 11th goal of the season. The goal was Barron's 48th career goal and 122nd career point, tying him on the Dubuque all-time points list with Connor Kurth for fourth all-time.
Barron assisted on Teddy Merrill's power-play goal in the first period to open the scoring on Saturday, logging a two-point night. Barron extended a career-high point streak to 11 games with the assist as Merrill's 21st goal gave the Saints the opening goal for the 12th-straight game and a power-play goal for the 11th.
Dubuque extended its lead late in the first period as Gavin Lock scored his 14th on a rush up the left wing. After Kris Richards' second goal in as many games early in the second period, the Saints lead extended to 3-0.
Vojtěch Hambálek made 28 saves on 29 shots in his 17th victory of the season and helped Dubuque to a perfect night on five penalty-kill chances. Dubuque's power play scored once on five chances in the victory.
The Saints move to a perfect 4-0 in the Cowbell Cup and remain in third place in the Eastern Conference ahead of a matchup in Cedar Rapids on Sunday afternoon against the RoughRiders.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2026
- Special Teams Battle Goes Other Way in Jacks' 5-4 (SO) Loss to Youngstown - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Lancers Silenced by Storm Saturday Night - Omaha Lancers
- Barron Moves up Ranks in Win over Bucs - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Late CR Goal Halts Hawks - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Lancers Silenced by Storm - Omaha Lancers
- Stars Fall, 6-3, on Saturday - Lincoln Stars
- The Herd Fall to the Sioux City Musketeers, 3-1 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Bucs Fall 4-1 to Fighting Saints - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Pradel Records League-Leading Fourth Shutout as Tri-City Blanks Omaha 3-0 on Saturday Night - Tri-City Storm
- Storm, Lancers Clash on Saturday Night in Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- Fighting Five: Saints Visit Bucs for First Time - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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