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USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints Rout Gamblers in Game 2

April 18, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


GREEN BAY - The Dubuque Fighting Saints scored on their first shot of the night and rode that momentum the rest of the way in Game 2 of the First Round. Four unanswered goals set the table for the Saints, who routed the Green Bay Gamblers 5-1, and won the series 2-0, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals either against Team USA, or the Youngstown Phantoms.

Logan Pietila, Alex Steeves and Quinn Preston all tallied in an opening period that went the Saints' way from start to finish. Steeves' goal, an outrageous backhander from an impossible angle chased Vegas Golden Knights prospect Maksim Zhukov from the net in favor of Jake Begley, and started the scoring party.

Pietila finished on a turnover forced by Quinn Preston in the offensive zone and slipped the puck between the pads of Zhukov just 47 seconds into the game.

A late set of penalties taken by Green Bay continued the Saints' good fortunes. Pietila and Matias Maccelli worked the puck around the perimeter and Preston buried the shot from the high slot to give Dubuque the 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second and third periods went just as successfully for the Fighting Saints, who kept the pressure on. Dalton Hunter, out of the penalty box and into the scoring, took a feed from Jan Kern and Steeves for his first of the postseason at the 8:34 mark to extend the lead to 4-1, which was the largest lead of the night for Dubuque.

The Gamblers made the game interesting in the third period, as Josh Dunne rang the crossbar just moments before a potential goal from Andy Carroll was waved off, keeping the Gamblers at bay. They would eventually erase the goose egg as Rory Herrman bashed home a centering pass from Nolan Moyle to give Green Bay life. It was just the second goal Green Bay scored in the series.

Steeves scored into the empty net with 55 seconds left in the third period to seal the win with Begley at the bench for the extra attacker.

Weaver was once again strong in net, making 28 saves in Game 2, and 51 saves on 53 shots in the entire series. He holds a .962 save percentage heading into the Eastern Conference Semifinals Round.

The Fighting Saints must wait to see who they will play next, contingent on Game 3 between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Chicago Steel on Wednesday night. Stay tuned to the Clark Cup Playoff Hub at DubuqueFightingSaints.com, or on all social media avenues, for more information on the playoff push.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2018


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