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USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Saints Erase Deficit, Top Gamblers in Shootout

October 2, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa - Michael O'Leary scored the game-deciding goal in the fifth round of the shootout, as the Dubuque Fighting Saints defeated the Green Bay Gamblers 4-3 on Friday night.

Tied 3-3 after regulation time on a goal by Gamblers captain Sam Saliba, who answered a power play goal from Evan Smith, a raucous overtime session ensued, which featured chances each way. Neither starter Hunter Miska nor Gamblers netminder Kevin Reich would surrender a goal in the extra session.

Shane Kavanagh came within inches of winning the game with seconds remaining in overtime. He took a pass and streaked in all alone, but shot the puck over the net, forcing the shootout.

Brett Gruber started the shootout with a goal. Reich would stonewall opportunities from Petter Mî=A4kitalo and Charlie Combs, but not Nathan Sucese. While corralling a bouncing puck with the game on the line, Sucese snapped a shot through the five hole to keep the game alive.

Then, cue the goal for O'Leary, who also battled a bouncing puck, who was just able to slip it through Reich to win the game.

Another deficit at the Mystique Community Ice Center proved to be no problem for the Fighting Saints, who fell behind for the second consecutive game. Keegan Ford jumped on a loose puck in the slot with five minutes remaining in the first period, bashing a shot past Reich to make it 2-1.

Without Ford's goal, it would have been the second consecutive two-goal deficit out of the first period for the Fighting Saints.

It took the Fighting Saints being outshot 12-5 in the second period to come alive late in the frame. On the team's fifth shot, Combs found Gordie Green on a picturesque cross-ice dish. Green redirected the pass on a quick rush to tie the game at two.

The Gamblers got the scoring started six minutes into the game on a mad scramble. With Miska down, defenseman Andrew Peeke knocked a shot into the net to make it 1-0.

Ten minutes later, John Leonard took a pass on the right wing and ripped a shot into the top corner to make it 2-0 Gamblers.

This game featured 71 shots on goal, with 37 going to visiting Green Bay, and 34 to home-standing Dubuque. Miska made 34 saves, and Reich ended with 31.

The rivalry continues on Saturday from Resch Center as the Fighting Saints will travel to Green Bay to face the Gamblers starting at 7:05 p.m. Join the broadcast on Dubuque's Super Hits 106.1 FM starting at 6:50 p.m. for all of the live action.

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2015


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