USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Complete Rally, Stun Black Hawks

February 12, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - Down 3-1 heading into the third period was no problem for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. On Military Appreciation Night, sponsored by Hirschbach Motor Lines, a night historically dominated by the Fighting Saints in the win column, the Saints found a way to continue that tradition with a 4-3 comeback win over the Waterloo Black Hawks on Friday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center.

As the puck went from low to high, it betrayed the Waterloo defense, and Saints forward Max Montes raced to the puck and had a clear-cut breakaway. He pulled the sleight of hand to best Jack Williams in the Waterloo net to give the Fighting Saints the lead. The goal stood as the game-winning goal, and just the third shorthanded goal of the season for Dubuque.

Kenny Connors had a chance to do the same just moments earlier on a shorthanded breakaway of his own, but the puck hopped on him at the point of attack, and he could not finish the opportunity.

Philip Svedebäck made a massive series of saves late to keep Waterloo off the board. He made 20 saves for the win, his second consecutive win.

While the Saints struck first, Waterloo scored three unanswered goals to give them the lead. Garrett Schifsky's shorthanded goal started the rally for the Black Hawks. Out of the corner, Schifsky pulled a move to his backhand to stuff the puck just past Svedebäck's pad to get the Black Hawks even.

The Hawks posted two goals in five minutes to get the lead.

Ray Fust scored at 13:10, followed by a goal from Jacob Jeannette, both greasy goals in the slot area. Waterloo outshot the Fighting Saints 14-4 in the second period and took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Jeannette's goal came in the final two minutes of the second period.

Cue the comeback.

Mason McCormick's unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the Fighting Saints a power play to begin the third period. A pretty passing play gave the Saints a goal to get the lead down to one. Stephen Halliday and Connor Kurth connected on a one-touch passing play, and Nikita Borodayenko scored at the netfront just under a minute into the third period.

Then, the Saints tied it. Tristan Lemyre won a faceoff in the offensive zone and Austin Oravetz uncorked a shot that had eyes through a screen at 5:02. The goal was Oravetz's first in the USHL.

Lemyre started the scoring at the 1:21 mark of the second period. Svedebäck made a big save at one end of the ice, and Samuel Sjölund spotted Lemyre racing into the attacking zone. His backhander gave the Saints a 1-0 lead.

Both teams played to a scoreless first period. The Saints outshot the Hawks 9-5 in the first period. Waterloo outshot Dubuque for the game 23-22.

The Saints are back in action Saturday, February 12 for I Heart Hockey Night, sponsored by Medical Associates, as they host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Tickets are available at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

Check out the Dubuque Fighting Saints Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2022


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