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USHL Des Moines Buccaneers

Des Moines Buccaneers Weekly

December 9, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release


Urbandale (IA) The Des Moines Buccaneers, and the entire United States Hockey League, is nearing a lengthy holiday hiatus but before it begins there is still one more weekend of action to go. For the Buccaneers, it presents them with the opportunity to head home for the holidays with a much needed surge of momentum.

The Buccaneers (8-12-1) take on the Green Bay Gamblers (12-6-4) at home Friday and Saturday before getting the next week and half to go home for the holidays. Regardless of the outcome of the games, the break will bring a smile to the players as they see family and friends but those smiles will be much wider if they can take victories with them.

Des Moines goes into the Green Bay series with kindling for a long run already in place as the Bucs are on a three-game point streak (2-0-1) following a win over Tri-City and shootout loss to Lincoln last weekend at home. The three game point streak matches a season-high for the Buccaneers.

"Right now we have a lot more confidence than we did two weeks ago" says head coach Jon Rogger. "Anytime you get five out of six points you will take it. I feel that we have some strong momentum going into the Green Bay series, especially at home."

Green Bay does present a sizeable challenge to the Buccaneers as the Gamblers have won a majority of the meetings over the previous six seasons. This includes sweeping a pair of games in Green Bay in early November and winning both matchups last season. Still, the Buccaneers see an opportunity to not only win the game but prove they are back to competing with the upper-echelon teams in the USHL.

"We are going to have to play good defensively in our own end and limit their scoring chances" notes Rogger. "Our other main focus will be to play with a lot of discipline and keep them off the power play."

Des Moines will need the offense to continue its current turnaround. After struggling to score goals for most of the season, the Buccaneers have notched 11 goals in regulation over their last three games with each coming decent goaltending. Lincoln's Michael Bitzer is a veteran with a save percentage that has been mostly around .915 while Tri-City's Hayden Lavigne has been a focus for many National Hockey League scouts.

After spending most of the season trailing in games, the Buccaneers have been behind for only eight total minutes in their last three games and have scored the first goal in each of their last four.

Season Ticket Holder Deliveries

Season ticket holders show their loyalty year after year as they support the Buccaneers and as the holiday season continues, the team is giving back to a few of them this week. Dozens of season ticket holders have been randomly selected to receive homemade cookies delivered to them by Buccaneers players this week.

Season ticket holders should be on the look out Monday and Wednesday night to see if they get players knocking on their door.

Those who don't get a visit need not fret as the Buccaneers will be conducting other programs throughout the season in an effort to give back to as many as possible.

Food Drive Saturday

Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to Buccaneer Arena for Saturday's game against Green Bay with all collections going to the Iowa Food Bank. Anyone who donates at least three items, receives $3 off their ticket and a coupon for a FREE Original Chicken Sandwich from Chick-fil-A at Paradise Pointe.

Streaking

Garret Cockerill and Danny Elser both had four-game point streaks snapped in the Buccaneers' 5-4 shootout decision to Lincoln on Saturday night.

The Des Moines Buccaneers are in their 34th consecutive season in the United States Hockey League. Since 1980, the Buccaneers have produced hundreds of NCAA Division I players and dozens of professional alumni. Season Ticket Packages and Corporate Partnership information for the 2013-2014 season are available by calling (515) 278-2827.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2013


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.

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