USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Geisel Stonewalls Phantoms as Saints Sweep Weekend

December 11, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Dubuque Fighting Saints completed a weekend sweep of the Youngstown Phantoms on the back end of a three-in-three. Paxton Geisel made 24 saves, and the Fighting Saints' offense did the rest in a 4-1 win over the Phantoms on Saturday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center.

Geisel and the penalty kill were called upon multiple times, and neither broke. Aside from one turnover in the defensive zone that resulted in a goal against, the Fighting Saints' defense frustrated Youngstown all night. Youngstown had two chances to score on 5-on-3 power play chances, but the Fighting Saints staved those opportunities off. In all, the Saints' penalty kill denied all seven chances, and 15 of 16 chances on the weekend.

It was the Fighting Saints' token offensive pressure that jumped all over Youngstown early. Mikey Burchill opened the scoring just inside five minutes of the first period on a redirection of a Zane Demsey shot. The puck ricocheted off the post and off the backside of Phantoms goaltender Kyle Chauvette.

The Fighting Saints' first power play struck gold. Nikita Borodayenko got some puck luck of his own as he took the rebound of a chance generated by Ryan Beck and banked it in to give the Saints a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The Saints struck twice more in the third period. A costly Youngstown turnover resulted in a goal against. Riley Stuart started the rush, and Michael Feenstra finished it off with a pinpoint pass to Gabe Lundberg who drove the back door and directed the puck into a vacant cage to give the Saints some insurance.

Connor Kurth salted the game away with a goal of his own with under seven minutes to play in regulation.

The Dubuque Fighting Saints have won seven of the last eight games and remain in second place in the Eastern Conference. Their 102 goals are second-most in the league.

Dubuque is back in action next Friday, December 17 against the Madison Capitols for the first time this season. Tickets are available at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2021


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