Fighting Five: Saints Visit Bucs to Begin Weekend
Published on December 29, 2023 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
URBANDALE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (18-6-1-2, 39 pts) visit the Des Moines Buccaneers (10-13-4-0, 24 pts) to open a three-game weekend on Friday night.
Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:
1. End of the Year
The Saints finish the calendar year with their second three-game weekend of the month. Before the holiday break, the Fighting Saints swept their first three-in-three of the season.
After an overtime win at home against Sioux City, the Fighting Saints went on the road to beat Cedar Rapids and Green Bay. Fisher Scott's overtime goal against Green Bay gave the Saints a three-point lead atop the Eastern Conference heading into the break.
2. Big Game James
James Reeder returns to the Saints lineup after winning the Bronze medal for Team USA at the World Jr. A Challenge and leading the tournament with eight goals in six games.
Reeder followed up a hat trick in his last game for Dubuque on Dec. 2 with a hat trick in Team USA's opening game of the tournament.
Reeder's 24 points are still fourth on the team despite missing the last five games and seven total.
3. Power Through
The Fighting Saints scored five power-play goals in their last two games and six in their last three, going three-for-three on Dec. 16 at Green Bay.
In their three-win weekend, the Saints started the first game against Sioux City scoreless in their first five power play chances. Beginning with their opportunity in overtime against the Musketeers, Dubuque has scored on six of its last seven power-play chances.
Their unit is led by the top two power-play point producers in the league. Lucas St. Louis has eight goals and 15 points on the power play this season to lead the USHL in both categories. Jake Sondreal is tied for second in power-play goals with six and power-play points with 12.
4. Sondreal Sizzles
Sondreal has been on a tear of late, scoring a goal and five points in his last two games. The captain's 31 points trail only teammate Erik Påhlsson's 32 for the league lead. Sondreal has five multi-point games in his last 10 contests, including two three-point games in that stretch.
His 13 goals are tied with Påhlsson for the team lead and his 18 assists are behind only Påhlsson's 19 and Juraj Pekarcik's 22.
5. Matchup
The Fighting Saints and Buccaneers meet for the fifth time after splitting the first four. The home team won each of the first four meetings.
Through the first four meetings, special teams have played a key role. On the road in Des Moines, the Saints power play is scoreless in eight tries. At home against Des Moines, the Saints have five goals on seven power-play attempts.
Friday's game begins at 7 p.m. CST and can be found on Eagle 102.3 and FloHockey.
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