Buccaneers Score Late, Stymie Fighting Saints
February 27, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - It came down to one breakdown. Zach Jordan's 22nd goal of the season with under three minutes to play in regulation time sealed a Des Moines Buccaneers 3-1 victory over the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Saturday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center.
Jordan was sprung on a partial breakaway, and he buried a shot through the five hole of Hunter Miska. That goal sealed the end of the Dubuque Fighting Saints' six-game winning streak, as moments later, Ty Pelton-Byce sealed the deal with an empty net goal.
Dubuque scored first in this game. It only took three minutes and 19 seconds into the first period for Petter Mäkitalo to add his 14th goal of the season on a redirected shot from defenseman Carson Vance. The Swede scored his 20th point in the last 24 games as a result. That kept the Fighting Saints ahead for 25 minutes of the action.
That is until, shorthanded, Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Nikita Pavlychev added an unassisted shorthanded tally. Off of a breakdown on a Fighting Saints power play in the second period, the hulking Russian forward fired a top-shelf laser from the right wing boards to tie the game at one apiece.
Bucs netminder Nick MacNab continued his personal streak in this game, winning his eighth start among the last ten opportunities. The Yale commit made the saves he needed to, stopping 35 of 36 shots fired his way.
Miska stopped 19 of 21 shots in the loss.
Both teams were afforded four power play opportunities on the night, and neither team could capitalize on any of them. Only Pavlychev's goal occurred on special teams.
The Fighting Saints return to action for two exciting home matchups with the Sioux Falls Stampede. On Friday night, Dubuque is going back to 1983 to celebrate the legendary, classic look of that season. 1983 Retro Jersey Night, sponsored by Medical Associates Clinic Ear, Nose, and Throat Department, will showcase the retro look, and will be auctioned off after the game with all proceeds benefitting the Dubuque Youth Hockey Association. On Saturday, travel to a galaxy far, far away as the Saints celebrate Star Wars Night.
Tickets are available for both games by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or by going online to DubuqueFightingSaints.com today.
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