Buccaneers Keep Battling Western Conference Opposition This Weekend
Published on January 17, 2017 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
The Des Moines Buccaneers are in the midst of an 11-game stretch playing all fellow Western Conference opponents and this weekend that continues with a road game against the Omaha Lancers on Friday and Saturday they host the Sioux City Musketeers.
Des Moines has had success against Omaha as they've won all four games against the Lancers, yet Buccaneer Head Coach Dave Allison does not feel that gives his team any sort of advantage this Friday. "Every game is a separate story," explains Allison, whose team defeated Omaha 8-3 and 4-1 the first two times they met but the last two times they've played Des Moines required overtime to pick up 4-3 and 5-4 victories.
The Buccaneers come in to the weekend with their longest losing streak of the season at two games and Saturday/Sunday was the first time the team has failed to pick up any points in back-to-back games, but Allison feels the effort was there and the sample size is way too small to make major changes to the process. "We're pleased with how we played (Saturday and Sunday) but we're not happy with the results. Our guys competed, they played from behind in both games," points out Allison. "A power play goal here or a scoring opportunity capitalized on there would have changed the outcomes of those games. But I thought our guys competed and played hard right to the very end."
Des Moines' offense has struggled as of late and coach Allison knows that the team needs to generate more scoring which may be critical on Saturday as Sioux City is the stingiest defense in the USHL, surrendering just 2.09 goals per game. "They've been getting great opportunities and that's number one. You get those opportunities, eventually they're gonna go in," reasons Allison. "What you want them to do is embrace the opportunities they're creating but then sometimes maybe slow down a bit to see it a little more. They don't need to grip the stick. The biggest thing is that they can't be satisfied in getting opportunities. During the week we're going to look to get better but when game time comes we're looking for achievement from everybody."
The last time the Buccaneers played someone outside of the Western Conference was a 2-1 road victory over the Madison Capitols on December 29th and the next time they face an Eastern Conference team will be February 3rd hosting the Dubuque Fighting Saints. We asked coach Allison if he feels the games intensify when playing teams so close in the standings, as has been the case lately. "Absolutely," Allison answers frankly. "We went from second to fifth in one day and then we could have gone back to third in one day and it's exciting for our guys."
The puck drop for both Friday and Saturday is slated for 7:05 pm. Saturday nights Home Game is Thunder Stick Night with the first 1,000 fans receiving Thunder Sticks provided by Tompkins Industries. For tickets call 278-2827
United States Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2017
- Buccaneers Keep Battling Western Conference Opposition This Weekend - Des Moines Buccaneers
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