Sports stats

USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Lumberjacks Hold off Saints Rally to Earn 3-2 Win Saturday

January 31, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


MUSKEGON, MI-After dropping Friday's contest to Dubuque, the Muskegon Lumberjacks brought a stronger effort Saturday night to maintain their 2nd Place position in the Eastern Conference standings. The Lumberjacks held off a Dubuque Fighting Saints comeback attempt to earn a 3-2 victory Saturday night in front of 2,727 at the L.C. Walker Arena. Nathan Sucese scored twice in a penalty filled third period, but the Lumberjacks three goal effort in the game's middle period and 41 saves from Eric Schierhorn earned Muskegon the victory.

The opening goal Saturday came at 3:11 of the second period from Matheson Iacopelli. The reigning USHL goal champion scored his 16th goal of the season, finishing a 2-on-1 rush with Griffen Molino. Iacopelli accepted Molino's pass and snapped a wrist shot past Dubuque goaltender Jacob Nehama's blocker to make it 1-0 early in the second.

Muskegon would again convert on a 2-on-1 with defenseman Mark Hamilton scoring his 7th goal of the season. Mark Petaccio floated a saucer pass over a sliding Dubuque defender to the right side of the ice, and Hamilton batted the puck out of mid-air to double the Lumberjack's lead at 8:48.

Petaccio added a goal of his own at 12:50, cashing in on a big rebound left by Nehama on a Christian Wolanin shot from the point. Nehama kicked out the initial chance with his left pad, but the rebound sat loose in the crease and Petaccio made no mistake, scoring his 13th goal of the year to make it 3-0 Muskegon.

Needing a jolt, Dubuque opened the third period by chipping away at the Muskegon lead. Sucese scored his first of two goals on the power play only 13 seconds into the period. Keegan Ford's shot from the right point was deflected by Sucese through Schierhorn's five-hole to make it 3-1 Muskegon.

The game was physical all evening long, but the intensity ramped up at the 6:41 mark of the third period. Following a Nehama save, a mini-brawl ensued. Muskegon followed this up with two minor penalties to give Dubuque a 5-on-3 power play. Sucese struck again to make the game 3-2 Muskegon at 8:12. Schierhorn stopped Jacob Benson's one-time shot, but Sucese collected the loose puck in the blue paint and scored his 6th goal of the year.

Dubuque would press in the game's final 12 minutes, but Schierhorn shut the door, and with some help from his defense, kept Dubuque at bay and helped Muskegon stay in 2nd Place in the Eastern Conference. A Dubuque win would have pulled the Fighting Saints ahead of Muskegon in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Fighting Saints outshot Muskegon 43-24 on the evening.

Next weekend, the Fighting Saints battle with the USHL's top team, the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, in a home-and-home series. Dubuque visits the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena on Friday for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop. On Saturday, the two teams meet at the Mystique Community Ice Center at 7:05 p.m. That evening is Vegas Night presented by Mystique Casino and tickets are going quickly. Fans are encouraged to purchase in advance to guarantee the best seat location. Tickets are available online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com or by calling 563.583.6680.

Check out the Dubuque Fighting Saints Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Dubuque Fighting Saints Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central