Saints Score Seven to Down Force
October 11, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
FARGO, ND - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (5-1-0-0, 10 pts) scored seven goals in their best offensive performance of the season thus far to take down the Fargo Force (2-3-0-1, 5 pts) 7-4 on the road on Thursday night.
Three Saints recorded three points in Thursday's win, including Heikki Ruohonen who capped a four-goal second period with a breakaway goal for the Saints late in the period. His goal came on a delayed penalty to increase the Saints' lead to 6-3 heading into the third.
The other three-point scorers Colin Frank and Lucas Van Vliet both scored twice in the win, including a Van Vliet power-play goal. Frank opened the scoring just 1:46 into the opening frame, helping the Saints score the first goal for just the second time in six games this season.
Van Vliet's power-play goal extended the lead to 2-0 to score the Saints' first power-play goal since Sept. 27. Dubuque went one for five on the power play in the win.
Dubuque's penalty kill was strong again, stopping all three Fargo power-play chances in the win. The Saints penalty kill is up to a 95.7% success rate this season to lead the USHL.
Frank and Van Vliet set the Saints ahead 2-1 after the first before their four-goal second. Michael Barron scored early in the second for his fourth goal in the last three games on a wrist shot from the top of the circle.
After a short-handed goal by Fargo cut the Saints' lead to 3-2, Dryden Allen found Melvin Ekman in front of the net to tuck in his first-career USHL goal. Allen logged his first USHL point with an assist, his first of two helpers in the game.
Frank followed with his second on a 2-on-1 dish from Teddy Merrill and the Saints extended their lead to three. Sean Barnhill also added his first-career USHL point with an assist.
In the third, Van Vliet added his second of the game from Frank and Josh Niedermayer, who has a point in all five games he has played this season.
Jan Špunar made 31 saves in his second USHL game, lifting his record to 2-0 with the Fighting Saints.
The Saints are back in action on Friday night in Sioux Falls to take on the Stampede to wrap up the weekend.
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