Dubuque Battles Western Conference as Waterloo and Des Moines Slide into Town
January 14, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
After two losses last weekend to Youngstown, the Fighting Saints will look to rebound at home as they battle Waterloo and Des Moines on Friday and Saturday. The Saints are 1-0 this season against Waterloo and 1-1 against the Buccaneers. Friday will be the second Dupaco Cowbell Cup matchup of the season, with the Saints leading the standings due to their victory over Waterloo. Get ready for the home weekend with your pregame primer.
-Dubuque looked to turn a corner two weekends ago, with back-to-back wins over Des Moines and Chicago. However, they took a step back with two straight losses to the Phantoms. The Saints have yet to seriously ride momentum through multiple weekends this season.
-In the two losses, Dubuque's special teams proved to be the difference. After scoring in four of five games on the power play entering the series with Youngstown, Dubuque went 0-8 on the PP, including not scoring on a five-minute power. On the PK, Dubuque allowed one goal on three opportunities for Youngstown. They also let in a shorthanded goal.
-This weekend will mean more for Dubuque after the two losses since they cling to the fifth seed in the east by just two points. Youngstown still has a few games in hand so the Saints will need to try and stay ahead of the game.
-Waterloo has not had their typical success this season either, starting the season with six wins in the first 15 games. Offense, or lack thereof, has plagued the Hawks as they have scored just 44 times in their 15 games.
-Waterloo has slowly improved, going five and five in their last 10 after starting 1-4. The Hawks have played the Eastern Conference twice and lost both games.
-Des Moines continues to chug along right around .500 this season. The Bucs are 10-8-2 on the year, second best in the West. However, they have played the most games in the league this season. Des Moines brings a four-game point streak into the weekend.
-The Saints have been a slightly better team at home this season and will carry a modest two-game winning streak on home ice into the weekend. Dubuque is averaging exactly three goals a game at home.
-With a win over Waterloo on Friday, Dubuque will have won six in a row against the Black Hawks. It mark the first time in the Tier-1 era that Dubuque has had a winning streak that long against Waterloo.
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