Muskegon Pushes Past Dubuque in Overtime, 4-3
December 8, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
Dubuque grabbed three of four points from Muskegon as the Fighting Saints dropped the second game of the weekend series 4-3 in overtime. Despite the overtime loss, Dubuque played arguably their best series of the entire season. The Fighting Saints are now 10-9-2-2 this season after Saturday night.
-Matthew Thiessen was the story of the weekend for the Fighting Saints, especially in the second game of the series. Thiessen shut down Muskegon time and time again with a few highlight reel save and timely stops. Thiessen, despite allowing four goals, continued his fantastic play between the pipes.
-Matias Maccelli has been other-worldly for the Fighting Saints during his 11 game point streak. The point streak, which is the second longest of this USHL season, has seen Maccelli tally 17 points. Maccelli had four points this weekend, including two in tonight's game. Both of Maccelli's goals in the series came on the breakaway.
-Logan Pietila is just as hot, if not even hotter. Pietila has 10 points in the last five games for Dubuque. He scored the game tying goal with less than two minutes to play to give Dubuque the one point and push the game to overtime.
-Muskegon played a much better game Saturday night than Friday. The Lumberjacks were especially noticeable in the first period, throwing 23 shots on net. However, Thiessen played incredible and kept Dubuque in the game, along with Maccelli and his last second goal.
-Egor Afanasyev was a big reason why Muskegon won the game. He had a goal and an assist and played a strong power forward game. Afanasyev scored the teddy bear toss goal and also assisted on the third goal of the game for Muskegon.
-Danil Gushchin scored twice for Muskegon and was also worlds better in game two of the series. The bigger guns for Muskegon produced in game two of the evening and the Lumberjacks avoided back to back losses for the first time this season.
-All three games between the two teams had a playoff-like feel. The physicality was noticeable, the scoring was limited in the last two and the teams had to fight for every inch. Dubuque was largely the better team night one, while Muskegon rebounded and looked strong night two.
-Both games this weekend were played without the services of James Sanchez and Willie Knierim. Knierim suited up for game one, but did not play a shift. Sanchez was out both games. The Fighting Saints looked strong, even without two of their top scorers.
-Dubuque will have a short rest and then play next Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the road. One game will be against Sioux Falls, two against Sioux City.
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2018
- Muskegon Staves off Dubuque in OT, Narrowly Avoids First Losing Streak - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Teddy Bears Fly But Musketeers Fall - Sioux City Musketeers
- Black Hawks Outpace RoughRiders - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Stampede Roll over Sioux City, 5-1 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Stars Rally Falls Short against Des Moines - Lincoln Stars
- Muskegon Pushes Past Dubuque in Overtime, 4-3 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Preview - Stars vs Buccaneers - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Set to Face off against Fargo at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm
- Storm Fall to Force 4-2 - Tri-City Storm
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.
