Bucs Fight off NTDP for 4-3 Win
Published on October 24, 2025 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
West Des Moines, Iowa - The Des Moines Buccaneers (4-3-2-2) secured a 4-3 victory against the USA Hockey NTDP U-17s (2-8-2-0) Friday night at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. Blake Zielinski powered the Des Moines offense with three primary assists on the night. Bucs goalie Max Weilandt (4-2-2-2) stopped 25 of 28 shots in the victory, while USA goalie Nate Chizik (1-2-1-0) fought off 39 of 43 shots in the defeat. The Bucs and NTDP return to the MidAmerican Energy Company Recplex tomorrow night for a 7:05 p.m. rematch.
NTDP forward Hudson Salvador opened the scoring of the match 4:09 into the opening frame, assisted by Christian Semetsis to give USA the 1-0 lead. Bucs forward Jakeb Lynch responded with his first goal of the season on the power play at 13:49, burying a wide-angle shot off a tic-tac-toe play forwards Blake Zielinski and Riley Zupfer to tie the contest 1-1. Des Moines defenseman Ryland Randle brought the Bucs ahead with just 53 seconds remaining in the first period, forcing a shot past Chizik for his first goal of the season. Randle's goal at 19:07 was assisted by Zielinski and Ryan Seelinger and saw Des Moines with a 2-1 lead.
USA forward Rocco Pelosi tied the score just 2:18 into the middle frame, assisted by NTDP defensemen Diego Gutierrez and Carson Scott. Bucs forward Riley Zupfer notched his second goal of the season, sending a pass from Zielinski to the back of the net at 9:15. Zupfer's goal as also assisted by defenseman Jason Davenport, bringing the Bucs ahead 3-2.
Bucs defenseman Keaton Orrey tallied his first goal of the season on the power play 12:43 into the final frame, extending the Des Moines lead to 4-2. Orrey's shot from the point flew past the USA defense off a pass from forward Theo Kiss, and was also assisted by forward Nathan Hauad. USA attempted a comeback late in the third period, as defenseman Jake Boguniecki snuck a puck past Weilandt at 18:17. The Bucs were able to hold off the NTDP for the final minutes, showing a final score of 4-3.
The Buccaneers return to the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex for a rematch against the U-17s Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7:05 p.m. It is Tito's, Mug Club presented by Coors, and Signature Saturday! Saturday the Bucs will also be hosting a pre-game Scheels Floor Hockey Clinic at the RecPlex. Sign up here. Join us for a weekend of action, games, and fun!
Single-game tickets available now! Click here for more information.
Purchase your new merchandise from the Bucs Galley today!
United States Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2025
- Scantlebury's Late Goal Lifts Steel To Win Over Green Bay - Chicago Steel
- Jacks Soar in 5-2 Win in Waterloo - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Saints Drop Series Opener Against Capitols - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stars Win Dogfight Over Storm - Lincoln Stars
- Lancers Fall to Roughriders - Omaha Lancers
- Prusek's Late Tie-Breaker Lifts Stars to 5-3 Friday Night Defeat of Storm - Tri-City Storm
- Bucs Fight off NTDP for 4-3 Win - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Lumberjacks Edge Away on Friday - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Lawrence Back for Clark Cup Rematch - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Tri-City Begins Home-And-Home with Lincoln Friday Night Inside Ice Box - Tri-City Storm
- Fighting Five: Saints Visit Capitols to Open Weekend - Dubuque Fighting Saints
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
