Saints Shutdown Roughriders, Take Game 1 with 2-1 Victory
Published on April 11, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA- Friday night in Cedar Rapids was playoff hockey at its finest. The Dubuque Fighting Saints got a goal from Karson Kuhlman only 34 seconds into the third period and shut down the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders to earn a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal series. Phil Boje also scored for the Fighting Saints, and Dubuque limited Cedar Rapids to just nine shots in the final 40 minutes of play.
The lone goal of the opening period came from Cedar Rapids forward Dylan Steman. Dubuque failed to clear the puck along the left wing boards. Alec Marsh capitalized on the turnover, and fed Steman who was cutting down the wing. Steman looked to pass to Andrew Gaus in the slot, but his teammate was covered. The Cedar Rapids forward took the puck himself, and fired a wrist shot over the blocker of Dubuque netminder Kevin Reich to make it 1-0 Cedar Rapids at 7:18.
After only firing four shots on goal in the first period, the Fighting Saints took control of the game in the second period, outshooting the RoughRiders 15-3 in the middle frame. Dubuque was rewarded for its efforts thanks to a great play from forward Shane Kavanagh. The hard-nose forward brought the puck over the Cedar Rapids blue line and maneuvered around a defender. He threw a pass cross-crease to defenseman Phil Boje who jumped into the play. In his first USHL playoff game, Boje deflected the puck past a sprawled Tirone to tie the game, 1-1 at 3:06 of the second period.
The Fighting Saints came close to taking the lead late in the second period. Max McHugh snapped a shot off the post from the left side that sat loose in the crease. Tirone sprawled backwards and covered the puck, but the Fighting Saints argued that the puck had crossed the goal line. The officials checked the overhead camera, and the no goal call on the ice was upheld.
In the opening seconds of the third period, the bounce went Dubuque's way. The Fighting Saints broke the puck in over the Cedar Rapids blue line. A pass rolled to the corner, where the Fighting Saints fired it to the front of the net. Tirone was late picking up the puck, which sat loose in the blue paint. Kuhlman swooped in and backhanded a shot top corner over Tirone to make it 2-1 Dubuque.
Following the goal, Dubuque shutdown the Cedar Rapids offense. Reich only was tested with a strong opportunity once, denying a partial break by Alec Marsh. After outshooting Dubuque 9-4 in the first period, Cedar Rapids only mustered three shots in the second period, and six in the third period. The Fighting Saints outshot Cedar Rapids 29-18 in the win.
Dubuque leads the best-of-five series 1-0. Game 2 is tomorrow night in Cedar Rapids. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. from the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. The game can be heard on Dubuque's Super Hits 106.1 FM with Zack Fisch having the call. The series shifts to Dubuque next Friday, April 18 with a 7:35 p.m. puck drop for Game 3. The evening is sponsored by Dubuque Fire Equipment and media partner Xtreme 107. The first 3,000 fans receive a playoff pom-pom courtesy of Dubuque Fire Equipment. If necessary, Game 4 will by Saturday, April 19 at 7:05 p.m. in Dubuque. That evening is sponsored by Exceptional Dentistry and media partner WGLR. Tickets are available by calling 563.583.6680, or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2014
- Stampede Drop Game 1 to Waterloo 7-4 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Great Birthday for Montour - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Saints Shutdown Roughriders, Take Game 1 with 2-1 Victory - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Newell, Stewart Lead Ice to Playoff-Opening Shutout Win - Indiana Ice
- Gaudreau Signs Contract with NHL's Calgary Flames - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Former Saint Gaudreau Wins Hobey Baker Award - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- West Ave. Buffalo Wild Wings to Host Stampede Playoff Watch Party - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Phantoms Notebook: Final Roundup - Youngstown Phantoms
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