USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Early Lead Slips, Bucs Top Fighting Saints

October 30, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DES MOINES, Iowa - An early 2-0 lead fell by the wayside as the Des Moines Buccaneers netted two goals in the third period, taking a 4-2 decision over the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Friday night at Buccaneer Arena.

Zach Jordan's go-ahead goal off of a turnover put Des Moines up 3-2 with nine minutes remaining in the third period. It was only one of six shots taken in the third period. The Bucs would connect on a second shot late in the period, when Georgy Gorodetsky ripped a shot off of a centering pass, and made it 4-2 with a few minutes remaining in regulation.

Dubuque started the scoring early and often. Four minutes in, Mitchell Smith collected a dish from Gordie Green and wired a shot to the twine to put the Fighting Saints up 1-0. That was the third straight game that the Fighting Saints struck first in a game.

Nathan Sucese padded the lead to two goals, taking a pass from captain Keegan Ford out of the penalty box, and stashing a backhander through Des Moines goaltender Jan Ruzicka.

Aside from the two early goals, Ruzicka proved to be as solid as he had been in the past two weeks. He picked up his fifth win in his last six starts, stopping 84 of his last 90 shots faced (.933 save percentage).

The Bucs got the ball rolling with a late power play goal from leading goal scorer Patrick Grasso, who collected a puck at the side of the net, and fit the disc through a tiny hole in Jaxon Castor's coverage, putting Des Moines on the board late in the first period.

Wyatt Bongiovanni tied the game at two apiece, roofing a shot from the side of the net in the second period.

Dubuque's power play went without a goal on six opportunities. Des Moines' power play capitalized twice on five chances. Special teams played a role throughout.

The Fighting Saints will return to action on Halloween, playing the Bloomington Thunder for a 3:05 matinée at U.S. Cellular Coliseum. Join the broadcast on Dubuque's Super Hits 106.1 FM or FASTHockey beginning at 2:45 p.m.

Check out the Dubuque Fighting Saints Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2015


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