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Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Five: Dubuque Visits Lincoln to Finish Weekend

February 18, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


LINCOLN, NE - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (28-9-3-3, 62 pts) visit the Lincoln Stars (19-19-1-2, 41 pts) for the first time since 2020 on Sunday evening to wrap up a three-game weekend.

Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:

1. Frank Files

Following a 16-game scoring drought, Colin Frank has scored in back-to-back contests. After scoring an insurance goal on Friday, Frank came through in a crucial moment on Saturday night.

On a rush up the ice with Jake Sondreal late in a tied game, Frank took the pass and carried the puck across the slot on his backhand. He let a shot fly that beat Des Moines' Jonathan Reinholdt and gave the Saints a 3-2 lead with 2:05 left in regulation. His eighth goal of the year was the first game-winning tally of his career.

2. Sondy's Saints Shorty

Before Frank's goal, the Fighting Saints trailed 2-1 past the halfway mark of the third period and faced a penalty-kill chance. On a defensive-zone faceoff, James Reeder pushed the puck ahead to Sondreal, who sped forward.

Sondreal ripped home a forehand for his 21st goal of the season to tie the game at two and give Dubuque the chance for Frank's winner. Sondreal has four points so far this weekend on three goals and an assist and leads the USHL with 56 points.

3. Last Meeting

Lincoln took the only other meeting of the season between these teams in a 7-4 win on Dec. 2 in Dubuque. After the Saints took a 2-0 lead in the first 5:06 of the game with James Reeder's first two goals of a hat trick, the Saints allowed three-consecutive tallies to fall behind in the game.

Blake Montgomery led the way for Lincoln in the Stars' win with two goals and an assist. Yan Shostak made 31 of 33 saves in relief to hold the Saints at bay after their early lead.

4. Playoff Picture

With a pair of points on Saturday, the Fighting Saints' magic number to clinch a Clark Cup Playoff-berth is at 17.

Dubuque holds a six-point lead over second-place Green Bay with 62 points at the top of the Eastern Conference. Muskegon holds the third spot with 54 points this season.

5. Star Gazing

The Stars enter Sunday's contest after a home-and-home with Sioux City in which the Stars took three-out-of-four points. After a 4-2 win at home on Friday, the Stars dropped an overtime contest in Sioux City on Saturday night.

Lincoln had just three wins in its first 17 games, but has turned its season around since then. The Stars have won 11 of 15 and are 16-7-1-0 since Nov. 24 after their slow start to the season.

Sunday's game begins at 5:05 p.m. CST and can be found on Eagle 102.3 and FloHockey.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2024


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