Fighting Saints Win Tenth Game in a Row, Top U17s
January 2, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - A late surge by the Team USA NTDP U17s proved to fall just short, as the Dubuque Fighting Saints won their tenth consecutive game, a new franchise record, in a 6-4 victory on Saturday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center.
Goals by Evan Barratt and David Farrance cut what once was a 5-2 Saints lead to 5-4 with 12 minutes remaining in regulation time. Twice over, however, with power play opportunities to work with, the U17s washed it out within moments.
That, and Michael O'Leary punched home his second goal of the night at the 13:19 mark, providing a monumental insurance goal. That re-established a critical two-goal cushion.
Brett Boeing returned to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in this game, and made his presence known early and often. He finished Saturday's game with three assists.
Nathan Sucese controlled the entirety of the first period, scoring twice, and continuing his productive streak over the past month and a half. Sucese scored on the first shot of the game, cutting off an outlet pass in the neutral zone, and poking the puck past starter Dylan St. Cyr.
He helped chase St. Cyr with a tap-in off of a feed from Keegan Ford at the side of the goal.
Evan Smith ended St. Cyr's night with a short-side blast on a two-on-one with Mitchell, bringing the Saints' lead to 3-0. They would make it 4-0 on O'Leary's first tally of the night.
Twice, Team USA scored in the closing moments. In the first period, Josh Maniscalco scored out of a scramble in front of the net to get the U17s within three out of what was a disastrous first period. Grant Mismash, who ended tonight's game with two points, took a feed from Scott Reedy out of the corner and cut Dubuque's lead to 5-2 out of the second period.
Shane Kavanagh's goal proved to be the game-winner, which came seven seconds into the Fighting Saints' first power play opportunity. Sucese capped his three-point night with the primary assist on Kavanagh's eighth goal of the season. That assist brought Sucese to within a point of leading scorer Rem Pitlick for the USHL league lead.
Adam Scheel made 18 saves in relief. Hunter Miska picked up his 18th win of the year making 28 stops.
The Fighting Saints will remain home for an exciting weekend against conference rivals Cedar Rapids and Green Bay. Join the Fighting Saints on their quest to make it 11 wins in a row on Friday against the RoughRiders, for a Hy-Vee Fuel Saver Night starting at 7:35 p.m. On Saturday, the Gamblers come to town for One Stop Tax Night at 7:05 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Hunter Miska replica mask, courtesy One Stop Tax & Accounting Service.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2016
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