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USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Bucs Top Lincoln on Bevilacqua's Late Game-Winner

February 1, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


URBANDALE, Iowa. -- Defenseman Michael Bevilacqua sent the Lincoln Stars packing in front of nearly 2,400 fans at Buccaneer Arena on Saturday night.

The Buffalo, NY native and Bowling Green commit is second on the team in scoring, ringing up his 4th goal and 19th point of the season with the game-winning goal, coming with just 14 seconds left on the clock in what was a 1-1 game against the Western Conference's now third place Lincoln Stars.

Bevilacqua stole the puck from the Stars and battled down the ice, eyeing up forward Henry Bartle (Michigan Tech) on the left side of the net. Bartle had the lone goal of the game at that point for the Buccaneers, and his shot caromed out to Bevilacqua who fired the puck past Lincoln goaltender Cameron Whitehead from the right side and brought the Madhouse on Hickman to its feet.

"I saw Barts behind me and I just gave it back to him. Luckily it popped out to me," said Bevilacqua.

"The fans have been showing out every night. We went through a tough stretch for a little bit and they still provided us with that good loud energy and we kind of build off that every night. Just popped one home for them and made them go nuts at the end tonight."

Lincoln took the 1-0 lead in the first period, the only regulation goal given up by the Buccaneers all weekend. Des Moines dropped Friday's game to Sioux City 1-0 in a 9-round shootout. Bartle had the equalizer for the Bucs in the 2nd period, his 7th goal and 10th point of the season. He'd add another assist on Bevilacqua's eventual game-winner. Forward Jack Reimann sent home an empty-net goal to cap the scoring 3-1.

Des Moines' defense and goaltending backstopped an effort that brought the Buccaneers 3 out of 4 points on the weekend, as the team battles for every point in a tight race at the middle of the pack in the Western Conference.

The Buccaneers have used a balanced goaltending tandem of Max Lundgren (Merrimack) and Jan Korec (Boston College) to steady the ship.

"They provide so much for us. Max just stood on his head Friday night and unfortunately we couldn't get the job done for him. Janner was a stud back there tonight just took the pressure off. I'm glad we got that done for him," said Bevilacqua.

Another crucial four-point weekend lies ahead for Des Moines as the team hits the road for Sioux City and Sioux Falls. The Buccaneers are currently in 7th in the Western Conference standings with 33 points, 6 back of 4th place Sioux City and just one behind 6th place Sioux Falls. Just 8 points separate third and seventh place in the conference standings.

There will be Des Moines road broadcasts for both games at Sioux City at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Sioux Falls at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, with free audio on Mixlr and video stream with a FloHockey subscription. Fans are invited to a Watch Party at Gameday at the Merle Hay Mall for Saturday's game against Sioux Falls. Enjoy the game on the big screens, great food and drinks, plus all the arcade, bowling and games that Gameday has to offer. Fun night for the whole family!

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2023


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