USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Blank Gamblers

February 26, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - Seemingly never in doubt, the Dubuque Fighting Saints rolled to a 5-0 victory over the Green Bay Gamblers on Friday night from the Mystique Community Ice Center.

Hunter Miska earned his first USHL shutout in his 34th game with the Fighting Saints. Several times, he flashed the pad to stop Green Bay captain Sam Saliba, keeping the visitors off of the scoreboard.

Aside from the Gamblers controlling the opening ten minutes, limiting the Fighting Saints to just one shot on goal, Dubuque dominated possession, goaltending, and most importantly, the goal column. That first shot found a way into the net, with Colin Theisen netting his tenth goal of the season.

They surprised Adam Huska, who entered the night with sparkling statistics, with another quick goal to start the second period. Evan Smith followed up a Carson Vance shot block out in front of his own net by lugging the puck through the neutral zone, and shocking Huska with a quick wrist shot from the high slot 18 seconds into the period. It was Smith's 14th goal of the season.

One, after another, after another. Mitchell Smith sprung Willie Knierim on an uncontested breakaway following a shot block, and after a shake-and-bake move to the forehand, the power forward stashed the puck through Huska, and ended the goaltender's night at that point. Enter Kevin Reich.

He was entered to the game in the third period by watching Zach Solow thread a crafty pass to Dallas Gerads, who scored his seventh goal in the month of February alone. And, for good measure, for Solow to put the exclamation point on the victory, powering home a rebound on a late power play. Just 0.6 seconds remained on the clock when the goal was scored.

When the dust settled on the rough stuff, Dubuque continued to lead the Eastern Conference, and the USHL, in wins and standings points. At the end of the night, Theisen notched a Gordie Howe hat trick, and ten different Fighting Saints players ended with a point in the victory.

The penalty kill was forced into a critical situation on a third-period 5-on-3 power play for the Gamblers. However, just like the rest of the night for Green Bay, it simply did not go their way. The penalty kill went a perfect 4-for-4, killing off 12 straight opportunities dating back to last Sunday.

Catch Mascot Mania, sponsored by Victory Ford, tomorrow at Our House beginning at 7:05 p.m. Bernie and Maxx Mustang have invited over 15 of their friends to take part in an intense hockey game during the intermission. Call the box office at 563.583.6880, or go online to DubuqueFightingSaints.com to secure your tickets today.

Check out the Dubuque Fighting Saints Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2016


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