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USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Outduel Black Hawks

September 12, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


WATERLOO, IOWA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints rode the wave of an action-packed second period, defeating the Waterloo Black Hawks 3-1 in a chippy affair on Friday night. Tempers flared at seemingly every stoppage of play, continuing the well-known rivalry at the always-raucous Young Arena.

Dubuque struck first on the power play. Halfway through the second period, defenseman Casey Johnson played a puck into a scramble at the front of the net, and after pinballing around the slot with Evan and Mitchell Smith in the vicinity, Petter Makitalo bashed home the rebound at the side of the net to take the 1-0 lead.

Johnson continued his solid night moments later. He took a pass off of a Waterloo skate, and ripped a wrist top shelf over the glove hand of Black Hawks netminder Cale Morris to make it 2-0.

It didn't take Waterloo long to respond, as Michael Davies took a picture-perfect feed from Liam Pecararo in the high slot just under a minute later, depositing a snap shot past Hunter Miska's glove to cut the lead in half. Pecararo slowly made his way up the ice, slicing through the defense, and delaying a look to Davies to set up the goal.

All of this scoring occurred due to a major penalty taken by Brandon Schultz. After crossing the line offside, Austin Chavez took a stick in the mouth from Schultz, resulting in the five-minute penalty. Once the Fighting Saints took a minor penalty to even manpower at four-on-four, Johnson snapped home his goal, and Davies did likewise.

Aside from the one goal against, Miska was tested regularly in the second period, and he passed each test. He made 26 saves overall in his Fighting Saints debut, making a couple of flashy stops to preserve a one-goal lead in the third period. Miska also held the fort on two early third-period penalty kills.

Nathan Sucese continued his solid play this preseason adding an empty-netter with seconds remaining in regulation. It was his third goal in two games.

The first period ended in scoreless fashion. Both teams traded a power play opportunity. The highlight of the first period came off of a one-on-two rush created by Gordie Green. His initial shot was blocked, but while being tripped, he whacked a shot that pinged the crossbar and fell out of play.

Special teams remained hot, as Waterloo would go punchless on several power play opportunities, and the Fighting Saints would capitalize on the power play for the third straight game.

Morris did not see many pucks fly his way in the third period, but in the end, it proved to be a moot point. The offensive showing in the second period proved to be enough.

The Fighting Saints will return home to host the Waterloo Black Hawks on Saturday night at Mystique Community Ice Center for Super Mario Night. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 12, 2015


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