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Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Five: Saints Meet Capitols for First Time

December 9, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


MIDDLETON, WI - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (15-5-1-2, 33 pts) hit the road for their first clash of the season with the Madison Capitols (10-6-4-2, 26 pts).

Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:

1. Saints Storm Back

On Friday night at home, the Fighting Saints erased a three-goal deficit in the final 31:20 of regulation with six unanswered goals against Des Moines to win 6-3.

It was the second comeback-win for the Saints this season after trailing 3-0 in a game with Dubuque accomplishing the same feat on Nov. 17 at Waterloo.

The Fighting Saints scored four goals in the third period to complete the win.

2. Pretty Powerful

Of their four third-period goals, three of them came on the power play. Lucas St. Louis scored the tying goal on the man advantage just 1:03 into the third, before scoring the fifth goal on the power play to put the Saints up by two later on. Jake Sondreal scored his 12th of the year on the power play for the Saints' sixth goal.

It was a bounce-back night for the power play after it went scoreless in nine chances last weekend.

3. Saints Setup

Juraj Pekarcik assisted on four of the Saints' six goals on Friday night. It was a career-high in assists after he had three assists last Saturday. Pekarcik now sits in a tie for the most assists in the USHL with 21 after seven in his last two games. He enters Saturday's contest with a nine-game point streak in which he has three goals and 14 assists.

Noah Powell continued to stay hot as well on Friday with a pair of assists in the win. Powell has points in seven of nine games and has 11 points total in that stretch.

4. Chase Converts

After missing 11 games, Chase LaPinta returned to the lineup last Saturday against Lincoln. In his second game back, he converted in the third period with his fifth of the season to give Dubuque its first lead of the night. A lead it never surrendered.

LaPinta rejoined his linemates Erik Påhlsson and Gavin Cornforth in his return to the lineup and they picked up right where they left off, with Påhlsson assisting on LaPinta's game-winner on Friday night.

5. Caps Clues

Madison enters after sitting idle on Friday night. The Capitols had a quick start to the season, but have won just two of their last 10 contests.

Offensively, the Capitols are led by Austin Burnevik's 13 goals, but their defense is their calling card. The Capitols have allowed the third fewest goals in the USHL at 68 in 22 games.

They have a true tandem in net with Carsen Musser and Patriks Berzins each playing 11 games. Musser has a .905 save percentage, while Berzins touts an .898 mark.

Saturday's game begins at 7:05 p.m. CST at Bob Suter Captiol Ice in Middleton. Catch the game on Eagle 102.3 or FloHockey.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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