USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Bucs Begin Defense of Clark Cup Championship

April 17, 2007 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


Wednesday night, the Des Moines Buccaneers will begin their defense of the Clark Cup Championship as they travel to Omaha for "Game 1"of a "best-of-seven" first round playoff series with the Lancers. The two teams will play "Game 2" at 95KGGO Arena in Urbandale on Friday, April 20 at 7pm. These two teams have met in the playoffs more than any other USHL teams.

Fans can enjoy KXNO's "Marty & Miller" who will be tailgating and doing their show live from the south lot of the arena beginning at 4:00 PM. Fans will also enjoy "Buc Beers" in the south lot during the tailgate. Fans are also encouraged to join fellow Buccaneers fans in Blackbeard's Lounge prior to the game for our "Season Ticket Party" from 5:00 to 6:30.

Tickets for Friday's game are on sale now at the arena at 278-9757 or on-line at www.bucshockey.com.

Currently, Omaha leads the playoff series with the Buccaneers 17-16 dating back to the 1990-91 season. The last playoff meeting came in 2001 when Omaha defeated Des Moines 3-0. The Buccaneers (.590) and Lancers (.620) have the two best winning percentages in USHL league history. The Bucs were 3-2-3 against the Lancers this season.

More Facts about the Buccaneers/Lancers Rivalry:

Regular Season

Omaha vs. Des Moines: 45-43-6 (.511)

Des Moines vs. Omaha: 47-39-8 (.543)

Coaches

Omaha: Mike Hastings - 13th season with Omaha

All-time record: 486-198-51

All-time playoff record: 65-46

Des Moines: Regg Simon - 3rd season with Des Moines

All-time record: 95-81-20

All-time playoff record: 9-5

Scoring Leaders

Omaha

Goals: Mark Olver (29); Assists: Mark Olver (35); Points: Mark Olver (64); Power Play Goals: Andrew Conboy (11); Shorthanded Goals: Two tied (3); Game Winning Goals: Mark Olver (5); Defenseman: Nick Petrecki (11-14-25); PIM: Nick Petrecki (177)

Des Moines

Goals: Matt Read (28); Assists: Rich Purslow (55); Points: Rich Purslow (82); Power Play Goals: Matt Read (17); Shorthanded Goals: Two tied (1); Game Winning Goals: Four Tied (3); Defenseman: Jeff Petry (18-27-45); PIM: Shane Sims (137)

Goaltenders

Omaha

Drew Palmisano: 25 GP, 19-4-2, 2.72 GAA, .914 SV%, 0 SO

Michal Valent: 14 GP, 10-2-1, 2.45 GAA, .911 SV%, 1 SO

Des Moines

Matt Dalton: 53 GP, 27-15-9, 2.83 GAA, .909 SV%, 5 SO

Jordan Tibbet: 7 GP, 1-3-0, 5.43 GAA, .813 SV%, 0 SO

Notes

Clark Cup's most played rivalry dating back to 1991

This will be the seventh time Mike Hastings has coached in the playoffs against Des Moines and Regg Simon will the fourth different coach he's faced. He's also opposed Bob Ferguson (1995), Scott Owens (1996, 1998, 1999) and Tom Carroll (2000, 2001)

Nick Petrecki scored his first career game-winning goal against Des Moines. He had five points in seven games against the Bucs

Matt Dalton opened the season series with consecutive shutouts of the Lancers and kept them off the board for a total 132:44 before their first goal

Des Moines had the highest percentage of their goals scored on the power play (47.9%) in the league this year. Conversely, Omaha had the lowest percentage (24.3%).

Check out the Des Moines Buccaneers Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2007


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