USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Quenneville Scores Pair in Third, Dubuque Beats USA 4-3 Sunday

Published on March 24, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa- Team USA goaltender Hunter Miska gave his team a shot to win the game, but in the end the USHL's best team was too much as the Dubuque Fighting Saints capitalized for three goals, including two from Peter Quenneville, in the third period to beat Team USA U-17 Sunday afternoon, 4-3 at the Mystique Community Ice Center. The Fighting Saints outshot USA 51-17 in the game and at one point trailed 2-1 in the third period before rallying for the win.

The third period saw goals come at a rampant pace despite entering the frame with the score only 1-1. With the Fighting Saints trailing 2-1 in the third period, Quenneville scored his 30th goal of the season on beautiful set faceoff play to tie the game and finally solve Miska. Captain Shane Sooth won the draw to Quenneville who blistered a wrist shot over Miska's glove to get the crowd of 2,506 on its feet. Before they could sit down, Dubuque struck again. Only 19 seconds later, John Stevens capitalized on a turnover and roofed a shot from the far-side of the ice over Miska's shoulder to give Dubuque the 3-2 lead.

In the blink of an eye, Team USA drew even at 7:13 when Alex Tuch scored from the left wing. Tuch got a pass and cut off the half-boards beating Dubuque goaltender Arthur Brey with a wrist shot that found its way through traffic and the scoreboard read 3-3.

Despite Miska's best efforts, the Fighting Saints found a way to pull through. Quenneville notched the game-winner and his second goal of the game at 13:57. With Dubuque buzzing on a offensive zone cycle, the puck popped out from behind the goal on the left wing to Quenneville, who beat Miska with a shot blocker side to make it 4-3, and give the Fighting Saints the win.

Also scoring in the game for Dubuque was, Mike Szmatula, who wrote himself into the Fighting Saints record books. Szmatula's goal was his 37th of the season, the most by a Saint since the team's return to Dubuque in 2010. He passed Johnny Gaudreau who notched 36 in 2010-11. Szmatula's goal came on the powerplay at 9:27 from Peter Quenneville and Shane Sooth. Quenneville dished the puck from behind the goal line to Szmatula who snapped the puck past Miska.

The story of the first two periods however was Miska who made many impressive highlight reel saves. He faced 21 shots in the first period, and 11 more in the second, and his best save came on a two-on-one on Dubuque's Frankie DiChiara. John Stevens fed DiChiara on the left wing and he deked around the goaltender, but Miska's catching glove swiped the puck before it found the back of the net for the save.

Dubuque's Brey got credit for the win in goal. He replaced starter Christian Frey who allowed one goal on seven shots in the first period. Dubuque moved to 40-10-7 with the win and are three points ahead of Sioux Falls with 58 games played in the race for the Anderson Cup.

The Fighting Saints are at home next weekend for a pair of games with the Indiana Ice. On Friday, its "Good *Fly *Day," as the first 1,000 fans receive a Fish Fly Swatter perfect for Dubuquers. Saturday in a Canned Food Drive Presented by CenturyLink. Tickets are available to both games by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2013


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