Returners Pave the Way in Preseason Victory
Published on September 8, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - Dubuque Fighting Saints hockey returned to the Key City in style, as the home team dispatched the visiting Chicago Steel 4-3 on Wednesday night. Behind the strength of Dallas Gerads' two goals, including the game-winning goal, and Zach Solow's three points, the Saints found the extra edge to power through for the win.
Gerads' second goal wasn't as pretty as his first one, but after jamming the net in front of Steel goaltender Tommy Nappier, he powered the puck into the net for the Saints' fourth goal of the night. Solow and newcomer David Brumm added the helpers.
Dubuque completed a masterful first period with two goals in the frame. Solow pickpocketed a Steel defender and fed the puck to a waiting Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup in the slot. His one-time release bested Nappier to put Dubuque up 1-0.
Gerads made up for his boarding penalty just 20 seconds into the action with a goal of his own. He unleashed a top-shelf wrist shot from the top of the left circle after an extended shift in the offensive zone, starting his impressive night.
The Steel chipped away at the lead starting in the second period. Just nine seconds into a power play chance, Greg Printz and Baker Shore crashed the netfront and it was Baker who found a way to bash the puck into the net to cut the Saints lead to one. That lead was extinguished just two minutes into the third period, when, after a long shift, and a puck that squeezed through goaltender Jaxon Castor stopped short of the goal line behind him, Mitch Lewandowski picked up the loose change and buried it to tie the score at two.
Solow's three-point night was two-thirds of the way done when he ripped a turnaround shot in the high slot through a bevy of traffic out in front of the Steel net. His shot found paydirt to put Dubuque up 3-2 at the time, halfway through the third period. Three minutes later, shorthanded, Steel defenseman Matt Kiersted tied it at 3, but it was Gerads' second marker, the game-winner that came 27 seconds later.
Castor's first start since March 25 was a remarkably successful one. He made 27 saves in the full 60-minute effort, and he had an answer for seemingly each Steel advance.
The Fighting Saints' preseason docket continues against the Madison Capitols on Thursday, September 8 at 6:05 p.m. Stay tuned to social media (Facebook, @FightingSaints on Twitter) for more updates on the upcoming radio broadcast on Super Hits 106.1 FM.
United States Hockey League Stories from September 8, 2016
- Kelleher Dominates with Four Points in 5-3 Win over Omaha - Tri-City Storm
- USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Logo Unveiled - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Crowe Named NTDP Director of Player Personnel - U.S. National Team
- Stars Release Promotions Schedule for 2016-2017 Season - Lincoln Stars
- Fighting Saints Sneak Past Steel Wednesday - Chicago Steel
- Returners Pave the Way in Preseason Victory - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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