Des Moines Bucs Notes
Published on September 25, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Des Moines Buccaneers News Release
Series History with the Omaha Lancers
Des Moines renews their long-standing rivalry with the Omaha Lancers on Saturday night and though the heat of the series has cooled since both teams were competing for Cups side-by-side in the 90s, the tension still exists.
The Buccaneers went 2-3-1 against Omaha last season, but it was their win in the last meeting of the season between the teams in late March that had the most impact. The Bucs rallied in the third period for a 4-2 win to put a sizeable dent in Omaha's postseason hopes. While the loss didn't eliminate Omaha, it went a long way to keeping the Lancers out of the playoffs for the first time since the late 1980s.
Since 2002-2003, the Buccaneers are 22-33-7 against Omaha.
Take Off Your Caps
Ryan Galt's hat trick on opening night for the Buccaneers is the team's first since Joe Gambardella had two of them last November.
Affiliate Call-Ups
With as many as seven players unavailable this weekend due to injury and USHL suspension, the Buccaneers' coaching staff is anticipating three affiliate players to be on the roster.
They include forward Tarek Baker, the team's second round pick in the USHL Phase I draft last May. The Verona, WI native is in his second season with the Omaha AAA program and committed to Minnesota for the 2015-2016 earlier this week.
Forward Jason Kowalczyk, the Bucs' 10th round pick in the Phase II draft in May. The Bridgeview, IL native plays for the Chicago Fury midget program.
Finally, Paul Vella, a forward from Staten Island, NY who plays for the Metro Fighting Moose program and was the Bucs 23rd round pick in May's Phase II draft.
Building Blocks in Place
The Buccaneers return 14 players from a season ago, fulfilling the coaching staff's plan that began at the start of 2012-2013. Not only are players back, but many were impactful players as youthful rookies.
Willem Nong-Lambert led the team in goals (17), while Ryan Galt and Mike Marnell had 26pts and 25pts respectively.
Trimmed at the Top
Though the Buccaneers return many familiar faces from a young 2012-2013 team, they will have to replace their top three point getters in Axel Wemmenborn (38), Joe Gambardella (35) and Eric Martinsson (33).
Those three accumulated 43% of the team's points.
Playoff Format Unchanged
Despite initial plans to increase the number of postseason teams, the USHL announced in July that the postseason format will remain the same as in 2012-2013. The top four teams in each division will advance with all series being a Best-of-Five.
Bright Future
At the end of last season, the Buccaneers' roster featured 11 Junior A rookie skaters and combined those players had 72 goals, 100 assists. These "pure" rookies accounted for 36% of the scoring for the Bucs.
This doesn't include affiliate players who played only a handful of games
Most Penalty Minutes
The Des Moines Buccaneers set a franchise record with 1,570 penalty minutes last season, surpassing the previous record of 1,482 set during the 48-game 1993-1994 season.
The Buccaneers' led the league in penalty minutes as well.
Winning at Home
If the Buccaneers are to make the postseason, the run must begin at home. Last season, the eight USHL playoff teams averaged 20 wins at home.
The Buccaneers went 14-16-2 at home last season.
Des Moines opens the season playing three of their first four games at home.
Playing in Front Of their 64 games played last season, the Buccaneers held a lead in 40 games.
International Presence
The Buccaneers have six players on their opening night roster who were born overseas. They include Kevin Antipov (Russia), Niklas Kumpu (Finland), Marcel Kurth (Germany), Jarkko Parikka (Finland), Ruslan Rakmotv (Russia), Sandis Zolmanis (Latvia)
Young and Talented
Defenseman Jarkko Parikka is one of the youngest players in the history of the United States Hockey League having turned 16 on September 7th. The Finnish born player spent last season in the Finnish Junior A league and also has played for his nation's U-16 and U-17 teams in international competition.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 25, 2013
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- Viaero Wireless Extends Partnership with Storm - Tri-City Storm
- USHL Update - Week One - USHL
- Affiliate Ty Pelton-Byce Joins Lumberjacks for Weekend - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Buccaneer Update - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Des Moines Bucs Notes - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
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