Fighting Five: Saints Visit Phantoms for Game 4
April 24, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The No. 1 seed Dubuque Fighting Saints travel to face the No. 4 seed Youngstown Phantoms for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 2-1 series lead on Wednesday night.
Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:
1. Dubuque Deflection
In the final minute of overtime in Tuesday's Game 3, Noah Powell had a shot tip off of a Phantoms stick and loop over goaltender Aiden Wright to give the Saints their first series lead of the Conference Semifinals.
Powell led the USHL with 43 goals in the regular season and his first of the playoffs came with 26.4 seconds left in overtime.
2. Late Life
Game 3 was scoreless for the majority of regulation before each team scored in the final seven minutes to bring a 1-1 tie into the extra frame. James Reeder gave the Saints a lead on a power-play goal, scoring his first goal of the series with 6:27 remaining in regulation. Reeder assisted on Powell's winner to score a two-point night.
The Saints could not hold the lead in the final minutes however, with Youngstown's Mikey Burchill scoring to tie the game at one with 1:42 left in the third.
3. Reidler Ready
Kevin Reidler continued his strong playoff series for the Fighting Saints, allowing just one goal on 29 shots in the Game 3 win. Reidler has allowed just three total goals over the first three games of the series.
In total, Reidler has faced 73 shots on goal in the series. After logging a .920 save percentage in four games against Youngstown in the regular season, Reidler has a .959 save percentage in the Conference Semifinals.
4. Long Road
The Saints handed Youngstown two of its four total home regulation losses during the regular season. Dubuque could not finish off Game 3 in regulation, but still carried over its strong road record from the regular season.
Dubuque had a 21-7-0-1 record on the road during the regular season and have excelled away from home. With three wins at the Covelli Centre this season, the Fighting Saints have accounted for three of Youngstown's 11 total home losses during the regular and postseason.
5. Phantom Files
There were fewer penalties in Game 3 compared to Game 2 of the series, but the Phantoms took a costly penalty in the third period. Captain Andrew Strathmann tripped Jake Sondreal and the Fighting Saints scored their go-ahead goal in the third on the ensuing power play.
So far in the series, the Phantoms have taken 24 total penalties to the Saints' 12. The Phantoms have yet to score on seven power-play chances in this series.
Wednesday's game begins at 6:05 p.m. CDT and can be found on Eagle 102.3 and FloHockey. A watch party will be held at ImOn Arena in Dubuque with free admission for all fans.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 24, 2024
- Storm's Season Ends in 5-3 Loss - Tri-City Storm
- Saints Shut Out Phantoms To Advance To Conference Finals - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Heil Added to US U18 Men's National Team - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Storm Set to Host Conference Semifinals Game at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm
- Fighting Five: Saints Visit Phantoms for Game 4 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Phantoms Drop Game Three Heartbreaker 2-1 in OT - Youngstown Phantoms
- Powell's Overtime Goal Lifts Saints to Series Lead - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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