Bucs Weekend Notes
Published on October 20, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
Series History with Team USA (U18)
The Buccaneers face the Under 18 National Development Team for the first time but already have a history against these same players from a year ago when they comprised the Under 17 team. Des Moines went 1-1 against that team, including a 1-0 loss in Ann Arbor in late March. In that game, the Buccaneers outshot Team USA 41-21 but were shutout by Colin Olson and lost on Nick Kerdiles' goal at 9:57 of the third period.
Des Moines exacted some revenge on the second to last day of the season by winning 5-3 after trailing 3-0 after two periods.
Since Team USA rejoined the USHL for the 2009-2010 season, the Bucs are 0-2-2 against the Under 18 National Team with both post-regulation defeats coming in Ann Arbor.
Playing in Front
Des Moines has held a lead in four of their five regular season games with the only wire-to-wire defeat coming on Oct. 15th at Youngstown. The Buccaneers have not lead a game wire-to-wire yet.
Searching for Road Magic
The Buccaneers haven't been able to recapture that magic on the road that they had for the first half of 2010-2011. Des Moines is 0-3-0 on the road and has been outscored 14-4.
Decowski Stepping Up
Veteren forward Cal Decowski has three goals already this season after having eight total last season. His four total points are tied with Ray Pigozzi for the most among returning players.
Out of Division
Starting with their Oct. 8th game at Green Bay, the Buccaneers are playing six of eight games against the Eastern Conference.
Happy Birthday
Defenseman Connor Schmidt is turning 18 on Friday night.
Playoff Format
Granted it's only October but as a refresher the USHL postseason format has remained the same as it was a season ago. In each conference the top six teams will qualify for the postseason with the top two teams in each conference receiving a bye.
The first round is a best-of-three pitting #3v#6 and #4v#5 with all games occurring at the higher seed's arena. The winners of this series advance onto best-of-five rounds for the quarterfinals, semifinals and Clark Cup Finals.
Hitting the Road
This weekend ends a stretch of three consecutive road games for the Buccaneers. Des Moines will play just one more stretch of three straight, and one more of four straight, road games this season.
Reading Program Begins
The Buccaneers began another season of the "Stick with Reading" program last week, marking the return of the team's cornerstone community goodwill program. Throughout the course of the season the Buccaneers will visit approximately 60 classrooms in the metro area with a centered focus on discussing character and teamwork with grades K-5.
Happy Trails
The Buccaneers went 13-15-2 on the road in 2010-2011, including winning their first two away games via shootouts.
Jones Joins Team
The Buccaneers are adding defenseman Mitch Jones to the roster for the weekend. A Michigan native, Jones was a Futures' Pick of the Buccaneers in April. His mother is a Fort Dodge native and former University of Michigan swimmer while his father Brad is a Michigan grad and played professional hockey for 12 seasons including parts of four with the old Winnipeg Jets.
Reaching the Top
Seven former Buccaneers' opened the 2011-2012 hockey season in the NHL, and another was called up lastweek. Rookie Matt Read headlined the alumni list by scoring his first career NHL goal last Saturday in Philadelphia's 3-0 win at New Jersey. The USHL lays claim to 158 active NHL players.
United States Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2011
- Gacek's Overtime Winner Stretches Phantoms' Winning Streak to Four Games - Youngstown Phantoms
- Meet the Refs in November - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Former Bucs Named to US Men's Team - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Lancers Acquire Future Player, 2013 Draft Pick in Trade with Muskegon - Omaha Lancers
- Bucs Weekend Notes - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Bucs, Sportclips Team for Help-A-Hero Nights - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Phantoms Defenseman Mike Gunn Commits to Northeastern - Youngstown Phantoms
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