Quenneville's Goal Earns Saints 3-2 Win, Series Lead
Published on April 26, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - Last time the Youngstown Phantoms visited Dubuque they handed the Fighting Saints a rare regulation loss on home ice. With the stakes a little higher this time, the USHL's top team made sure that did not happen Friday night. Thanks to a third period powerplay goal from Peter Quenneville, the Fighting Saints defeated the Youngstown Phantoms 3-2 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Mystique Community Ice Center. Dubuque jumped out to a 1-0 series lead and remains unbeaten in the postseason.
All season long the Fighting Saints were a second period team and once again the middle frame was kind to them. Jarrid Privitera and Karson Kuhlman lit the lamp 2:04 apart to give the Fighting Saints a 2-0 lead. Privitera struck for his first goal of the playoffs at 10:08 from the right side of the ice. Keegan Ford, playing his first game of the playoffs for Dubuque, cleared the puck high into the air from his own zone. Dubuque's Joe Manno won a foot race and streaked in on goal. Youngstown's Ryan Lowney pushed Manno off the puck and knocking him into the boards wide of the goal, but Manno got the puck to the front of the net. Privitera jammed the goal and beat a startled Romeo to open the scoring.
With the fans at the Mystique Community Ice Center on their side, the Fighting Saints capitalized again thanks to Kuhlman who scored his third goal of the postseason. Dubuque captain Shane Sooth attempted to charge the puck to the net and his curl and drag move was rejected. Sooth got the puck pack, fired a shot from the left side that got Romeo out of position. Sooth collected the rebound and passed it across to Kuhlman who stuffed it into the open goal at 12:12 to double Dubuque's lead.
The goals came after a scoreless first period that saw the Phantoms outshoot the Fighting Saints 8-6. Dubuque had the first period's best chance, but Youngstown goaltender Sean Romeo took the air out of the Mystique Community Ice Center making an unbelievable save with his catching glove on Dubuque's Evan Janssen on a two-on-one. Jarrid Privitera won a foot race along the right side half boards and passed the puck to Janssen in the slot. The forward streaked in on goal and made a move around Romeo and appeared to have the an empty net to shoot into when Romeo reached his left arm back to the goal line and snatched Janssen's shot.
The Fighting Saints added what was thought to be insurance in the third period on a one-timer goal from Peter QUenneville. The sniper blasted home his fourth goal of the playoffs on the powerplay at 8:13. After Romeo robbed Mike Downing's attempt from the doorstep, Sooth swung the puck across the ice to Quenneville who blasted a slapshot past a diving Romeo to make it 3-0 Dubuque.
Quenneville's goal turned out to be more than insurance and was the game-winner after Youngstown climbed back into the game with two goals to cut Dubuque's lead to one. John Padulo scored on the powerplay to make it 3-1 Dubuque at 10:24. A shot was blocked and the puck popped right to Padulo who fired a shot past Dubuque netminder Arthur Brey's blocker. Less than a minute later at 11:16, Sam Anas struck on a shot that found its way through Brey's five-hole. The wrister from the slot was deflected off a Dubuque stick and changed directions, squeaking in for the goal to make it 3-2.
The Fighting Saints would prevent Youngstown from having any more potent scoring opportunities' and despite an empty net for the extra attacker, Dubuque fought off the Phantoms and earned the Game 1 win.
Between the pipes, Brey kicked aside 23 shots while his counterpart Romeo made 21 saves in the losing effort. Youngtown outshot Dubuque 25-24 in the loss. Dubuque finished 1-for-5 on the powerplay while the Phantoms were 1-for-3.
Game 2 is Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at the Mystique Community Ice Center. The evening features a College Night ticket special. With a valid college ID, students can purchase an End section ticket and receive $5 in Saints Bucks (good for concessions or merchandise) for only $10. Tickets are available for tomorrow's rematch by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2013
- Comeback Comes Short, Phantoms Drop Game 1 to Dubuque - Youngstown Phantoms
- Stampede Come up Short in Game 1 at Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Quenneville's Goal Earns Saints 3-2 Win, Series Lead - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Topples Russia, 4-3, in Semifinals at 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship - U.S. National Team
- Trio Added to U.S. Men's National Team - U.S. National Team
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