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Dubuque Fighting Saints

McHugh's Tally Helps Saints Clinch Playoff Spot Sunday

March 23, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa-The Dubuque Fighting Saints punched their ticket to the 2014 Clark Cup Playoffs with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Fargo Force Sunday at the Mystique Community Center. Max McHugh scored the game-winning goal and Ben Johansson stopped 24 shots as the Fighting Saints clinched a spot in the post-season for the fourth consecutive year.

The Force opened the scoring in the game's first period at the 6:18 mark. Butrus Gharari brought the puck into the Dubuque zone and dished it to Andrew McDonald. He fired the puck cross-ice to Cam Ashley who one-timed a shot past a sprawling Johansson to make it 1-0 Force.

The Fighting Saints would tie game in the second period on a powerplay goal by Jacob Benson. Alexx Privitera collected the puck along the blue line and threw a pass to Benson on the right wing. He walked in and fired a shot that beat Fargo goaltender Brendan Jensen to make it 1-1 at 2:39.

Jensen would leave the game several minutes later after a collision. Karson Kuhlman rushed in shorthanded and was denied by Jensen, but it appeared a Fargo defender in pursuit struck Jensen's head with his body. Jensen was helped off the ice and replaced by Mathias Israelsson.

After several strong saves from the new netminder, Dubuque was able to strike. After being trapped in their own zone, Dubuque's Shane Eiserman intercepted a Fargo pass and broke up ice. He charged down the left wing side and left the puck to McHugh. The veteran forward took his time and made a perfect shot over Israelsson's glove and into the top corner of the net at 17:38. The goal was his 20th of season and turned out to be the game-winning goal.

In the third period the game got chippy as the two teams engaged in a scrum that saw 47 penalty minutes handed out. Jarrid Privitera was hit into the boards and Dylan Gambrell came to his defense. Fargo's Neal Goff jumped in and dropped his gloves and started throwing punches. Goff was given the lone fighting major in the scrum and the penalty boxes were full of Saints and Force players. Dubuque was unable to convert on the ensuring major powerplay.

Fargo was 0-for-5 on the powerplay while Dubuque was 1-for-5. Johansson's victory in goal was his first since January 28. Dubuque outshot Fargo 30-25.

Sunday was Mascot Mania presented by Victory Ford. Over a dozen mascots took to the ice and participated in a mascot hockey game in the first intermission. Much like the real game, the mascot game saw a brawl and a great performance from Pioneer Pete and Captain Shield who had big games on the score sheet.

The Fighting Saints host Eastern Conference champion Indiana next weekend for a pair of games. Friday is Euchre in Dubuquer! with a 7:35 p.m. puck drop. Saturday is Fan Appreciation Night presented by American Trust and one lucky fan will take home $5,000 as part of The Winning Edge contest. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com or by calling 563.583.6880.

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