Bucs throttle Stampede, feed their fans
Published on January 31, 2004 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
On a night when everything seemed to come together for the Des Moines Buccaneers, it was the fans that took home the biggest prize. The Bucs defeated the Sioux Falls Stamped 8-3 Saturday night, to move within seven points of the final West Division playoff spot. With their sixth goal of the night, the Bucs made the fans winners, earning each of them a free half-dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the "Score Six, Win Six" promotion.
The game got off to a wild start with each team scoring in the first minute of play. The Stampede opened things up with a goal just thirty-seven seconds into the game, but the Bucs' Samir Saliji answered with a score of his own just twenty-four seconds later. The score remained tied for the next nine minutes, until Mike Neilon put the puck past Sioux Falls goalie Craig Vardy to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead, which would last through the first intermission.
Sioux Falls took the lead with two early second period goals, but the Bucs strung together three goals in three minutes to take a 5-3 lead, that would not be relinquished. Mike Erickson and Davis Drewiske netted the first two, and Mike Neilon got his second of the night finish the run.
The third period was all Bucs from the start, with Tom May scoring the doughnut-winning-goal just five minutes into the frame. Dave Watters finished off the scoring with two straight goals, to give Des Moines its final five-goal margin.
The win was the Bucs second in a row, and moves them closer to the Lincoln Stars for the final playoff spot in the USHL West Division. The Bucs are back home next Saturday, February 7th for an important 7:35 showdown with the Tri-City Storm. Tickets can be purchased by calling 278-9757, or by stopping by the Metro Ice Sports Arena box office.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2004
- Bucs throttle Stampede, feed their fans - Des Moines Buccaneers
- USHL Prospects / All-Star Game to be televised on Fox Sports Net, CSTV - USHL
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