Fighting Five: Saints Host Lumberjacks to Open Series
Published on April 3, 2026 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
Dubuque, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (38-18-4-0, 80 pts) open the final weekend of the regular season against the Muskegon Lumberjacks (36-22-1-1, 74 pts) on Friday at ImOn Arena.
Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:
1. Last Look
The Fighting Saints play the final weekend of the regular season at home against Muskegon as they aim to lock up a first-round bye in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
With two games remaining, Dubuque holds a one-point advantage over Cedar Rapids for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Dubuque's magic number to clinch a bye is three entering the weekend.
2. Captain Clutch
Dubuque earned a victory on Wednesday night against Waterloo, led by Captain Teddy Merrill's career-high four points. Merrill assisted twice in the first period before scoring twice in the third to factor in each of Dubuque's first four goals.
Merrill has 30 goals for the first time in his USHL career and has 58 points in 58 games for the Fighting Saints this season. Merrill has 97 points in his career for Dubuque.
3. Instant Impact
Following an eight-game absence, Masun Fleece returned to the lineup on Wednesday and scored his 24th goal of the season to extend a personal point-streak to 12 games.
Over the point streak, Fleece has scored five goals and 14 total points for Dubuque. His 46 points over 48 games played are the fourth-most on the team.
4. Big Blocker
Vojtech Hambálek made a career-high 38 saves last Friday in Fargo, stopped 36 more on Saturday and has a .929 save percentage over his last nine appearances.
In the Saints' lone win over Muskegon through the first four meetings, Hambálek made 27 saves on 29 shots for a 5-2 win on Oct. 17.
5. Muskegon Minute
The Lumberjacks enter with a playoff spot locked up, but lost twice to the U18s last weekend. After Muskegon's sweep over the Saints in late November, the Jacks had an 18-5-0-0 record. In 37 games since, the Jacks are 18-17-1-1.
Muskegon's defense is one of the best in the league, led by goaltender Carl Axelsson's .917 save percentage. The goaltender is second in the league with that mark and the Lumberjacks have the fourth-best defense in the league with 2.90 goals against per game.
Friday's Dubuque Fire Equipment Blackout Night game begins at 7:05 p.m. CDT at ImOn Arena and tickets can be purchased here. The game is also available on Eagle 102.3 and FloHockey.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2026
- Fighting Five: Saints Host Lumberjacks to Finish Regular Season - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Saints Clinch First-Round Bye with Win over Jacks - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Early Struggles Hurt Jacks in the End. Fall, 5-1, in Dubuque - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Kazda Scores Twice as Steel Defeat U18s, 5-2 - Chicago Steel
- Omaha Falls in Home Finale - Omaha Lancers
- Stampede Win Weekend Opener - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Herd Earns 42nd Win of the Season in Dominant 8-1 Victory over Black Hawks - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stars Fall to Buccaneers Friday Night - Lincoln Stars
- Force Strike Six Times in Second Period, Defeat Storm, 8-1, on Friday Night - Tri-City Storm
- Storm Begin Two-Game Series at Fargo on Friday Night - Tri-City Storm
- Fighting Five: Saints Host Lumberjacks to Open Series - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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