USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Fighting Saints to Battle Steel and Lumberjacks

Published on November 9, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - After winning both of their games at the Mystique Community Ice Center this past weekend by a combined score of 10-2, the Dubuque Fighting Saints have an opportunity to play two more contests on their home ice before hitting the road the following weekend. Since starting the season 0-2, the Fighting Saints have compiled a 7-1-1 record to vault them near the top of the USHL's Western Conference. This weekend's games will cap a stretch for the Saints of seven of eight games in the Key City and ten games in the state of Iowa. Dubuque plays the Chicago Steel at 7 PM on Friday night, and will take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks at the same time on Saturday evening.

Three Fighting Saints who are at or near the top of the USHL scoring lead have propelled the Saints into within one point of first place in the Western Conference. Vinny Saponari, who has 13 points on 4 goals and 9 assists, is tied for the first spot with Ryan Misiak of Muskegon, who will visit Dubuque this weekend. Zemgus Girgensons and John Gaudreau are just one point behind Saponari with 12 points each. Overall, three of the top six USHL scorers wear the Fighting Saints' sweater.

Matt Morris has continued his dominance in goal for the Fighting Saints. His two victories of the weekend have improved his record to a league best 5-0-1. His goals against average is second in the USHL at 1.55, and his .940 save percentage is third best overall.

The Chicago Steel, Dubuque's Friday opponent, bring a much improved squad to the USHL table in 2010-11. Under the tutelage of new head coach Jon Waibel, they sit just three points out of first place in the Eastern Confernece. The Steel have compiled a 5-6-1 record, including an impressive victory over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

After the game against Chicago on Friday night, the Fighting Saints' fellow expansion team, the Muskegon Lumberjacks, will pay a visit to Dubuque for Saturday night's game. After getting off to a slow start, the Lumberjacks, who have a record of 4-4-2, have won two games in a row and have earned points in four of their last five games. They are led in scoring by Misiak, who has tallied eight points in his last five games. The Lumberjacks edged the Saints by a score of 4-2 in the Saints' final game of the Fall Classic, and the Saints will certainly be looking for the victory to establish supremacy over their expansion rival now that the games count in the standings.

On Friday night, the Fighting Saints will honor veterans at the game against the Steel. American flags will be passed out to each person who comes to the game at the Mystique Community Ice Center. During Saturday night's game, the Saints will recognize young hockey players from the Dubuque Youth Hockey Association. Fans interested in tickets for either of this weekend's games should call the Fighting Saints at (563) 583-6880, visit the team's website at www.dubuquefightingsaints.com, or visit the Mystique Community Ice Center box office throughout the week.

Check out the Dubuque Fighting Saints Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2010


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