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USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Bucs Drop Opener in Overtime

October 3, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


Fans were welcomed back to Buccaneer Arena for another season of Des Moines Buccaneers hockey on Saturday night, with a game that went to overtime before the Buccaneers fell 4-3 to Sioux Falls.

Des Moines struck first when newcomer Andrew Clarke (Uncommitted // St. Louis, MO) scored just 2:15 into the game, bringing the Madhouse on Hickman faithful to their feet. The goal was the first of his USHL career for the forward, Clarke, and was assisted by returning forward Braden Rourke (Uncommitted // Urbandale, IA).

The 1-0 Buccaneers lead held until the 13:36 mark of the second period, when another newcomer made his mark. Forward Jack Kernan (Uncommitted // Ham Lake, MN) fired home a power play goal, the first of his USHL career, with forwards Liam Watkins (Nebraska-Omaha // Okotoks, AB) and Paul Minnehan (Arizona State // Cypress, CA) earning assists.

With less than a minute remaining in the second, Sioux Falls cut the 2-0 lead in half with a goal by Jake Toll.

Sioux Falls' momentum carried into the third period, when just 1:30 into the frame, Jaksen Panzer tied the game 2-2.

The Buccaneers reclaimed the lead less than two minutes later when forward Lubomir Kupco (St. Cloud State // Kosice, Slovakia) scored his second goal of the season to make it 3-2 Des Moines. Kupco's goal came off a terrific feed by Davis Borozinskis (Western Michigan // Liepaja, Latvia).

With 5:19 remaining in regulation, Sioux Falls tied things up once again, this time an unassisted strike from Alexander Rybakov, sending the game to overtime, tied 3-3.

Less than two minutes into overtime, Sioux Falls forward J.J. Wiebusch put home his second goal of the season to dash the Buccaneers hopes of a home opener victory, and the Stampede took the win 4-3.

Ethan Dahlmeir (Uncommitted // Lakeville, MN) started the game in goal for the second time this season and made 30 of 32 saves in 47:17 of playing time, before exiting the game. Jonathan Reinholdt saw game action for the third time this year, making 10 of 12 stops and taking the overtime loss.

The Buccaneers will face a tough road challenge next, traveling to face the USNTDP 18U team in Plymouth, Michigan on Friday at 6:00 p.m. CT, before wrapping the weekend against the defending Clark Cup champion Youngstown Phantoms on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. CT. Friday's game at the USNTDP will be streamed exclusively on their own streaming platform for FREE but users must create or log in with a sportsengine account. Friday's game streaming link is: usahockeyntdp.com/watch. Video streaming will be available for Saturday's game at Youngstown for FloHockey subscribers. There will be no audio only broadcast on Mixlr.

The Bucs return home to Des Moines for a two-game weekend on October 13 vs. the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:00 p.m. CT and October 14 vs. the Tri-City Storm at 6:00 p.m. CT. Friday, October 13 is the first 2-for-1 beer night of the season. Tall cans of domestic beers and seltzers will be two for the price of one. This does not apply to draft beers.

Single-game, season tickets and same seat plans are all still available. Contact Sarah Rivera at the box office during regular business hours in person, by phone at 515-278-2827 or by email at sarah@bucshockey.com.

Check out the Des Moines Buccaneers Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2023


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