Kavanagh Provides Dagger Goal in Crucial Home Win
April 8, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - A late power play goal by former Dubuque Fighting Saint Trey Dodd tied the game, but it would be the Saints that ended up with the last laugh. Shane Kavanagh executed a three-on-two rush down the ice with a goal to put the home team up for good in a 4-3 win over the Sioux City Musketeers at Fan Appreciation Night on Friday.
Following a steal in the defensive zone, the top line of Nathan Sucese, Gordie Green and Kavanagh raced up the ice on the rush. Sucese found Kavanagh all alone in the slot, took his time, and picked his spot, high over the glove hand of Musketeers goaltender Cameron Gornet, to put the Fighting Saints ahead with just over a minute to go.
That was in response to a late power play marker by Dodd, who tallied after a Willie Knierim hooking minor. Sioux City had trailed for the prior 25 minutes, following an offensive clinic put forth by the Fighting Saints in the second period.
Down 2-0, the Saints flipped the switch. Kavanagh started the rally following a Sucese pass early in the second to cut the lead to one. Colin Theisen tied the game, taking a pass off the near post from Keegan Ford, and depositing the puck into the open side.
Sucese eventually put the Fighting Saints up one, following a delayed penalty. Green was hauled down en route to the goal on a partial breakaway, and aptly, Sucese followed up on the loose puck, and in tight quarters, roofed a shot over Gornet's shoulder to put the Saints up by one.
Goals by Brian Rigali and Jacob Wilson stoked the Musketeers to the early lead. Rigali, who capitalized on a neutral zone turnover, and Wilson, off of a screen shot from the point, put the road-weary Musketeers up after 20 minutes. The unfriendly road, of which Sioux City has lost 22 times in 30 chances, caught up to them on Friday night.
Hunter Miska continued to blaze a trail with the burgeoning single-season wins record, which now stands at 31 after completing a 20-save performance en route to the win.
With a win in Waterloo and a Green Bay loss to Lincoln tomorrow, Dubuque would wrap up the second playoff spot and secure home ice advantage in the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs, which start next weekend.
The Fighting Saints wrap up the regular season with a game in Waterloo against the Black Hawks. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. Catch all of the action on the flagship station of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Super Hits 106.1 FM, or online at superhits106.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2016
- Steel Roll To 5-1 Win Over Muskegon - Chicago Steel
- U.S. Men's National U18 Team Downs Finland, 6-1, in Pre-Tournament Contest - U.S. National Team
- Kavanagh Provides Dagger Goal in Crucial Home Win - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Thunder Earn Point, Fall in Overtime - Bloomington Thunder
- Stampede Clinch Playoff Berth in Front over 10,000 Fans - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Lumberjacks Fall to Steel 5-1 - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Goransson Sets Defenseman Assists Record in 5-4 Loss to Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- Gamblers Fall in Lincoln - Green Bay Gamblers
- Colton Gives RoughRiders the Cup - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Lancers Hold off Storm, 5-4, in Front of 3,732 - Omaha Lancers
- Payusov's Pretty Play Closes Home Slate with a Bang - Madison Capitols
- Stars Top Gamblers, 4-1 - Lincoln Stars
- Phantoms Cruise Past USA for Sixth Straight Victory - Youngstown Phantoms
- Stampede Set USHL Single Season Attendance Record for Second Straight Year - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Steel to Donate to Geneva Academic Foundation Scholarship Fund - Chicago Steel
- Kane County Cougars Fans Offered Free Tickets to Steel Game Friday - Chicago Steel
- Thunder Cap off Road Games in Madison - Bloomington Thunder
- 2016-17 U.S. Men's National Under-17 Team Announced - U.S. National Team
- Stars to Close Regular Season against Gamblers - Lincoln Stars
- Caps Celebrate Fans in Home Ice Finale Friday - Madison Capitols
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