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USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Saints Soar to 4-0 Win over Sioux City on Opening Night

September 28, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, IA- A new year for the Dubuque Fighting Saints provided the same old results Saturday night. The squad earned a 4-0 win over the Sioux City Musketeers at the Mystique Community Ice Center on Opening Night in front of a crowd of 2,455. Christian Frey stopped 20 shots to earn his first USHL shutout and Shane Kavanagh and Shane Eiserman both added a goal to go along with a fight. Prior to the game, Dubuque presented championship rings and unveiled the Clark and Anderson Cup Championship banners as part of a Championship Celebration presented by American Trust.

The excitement started prior to the puck dropping with the pre-game festivities. Fans relived last season's 45-11-8 campaign with audio highlights from the year prior. Next saw the returning players and staff take the ice to receive their championship rings. Former Head Coach and General Manager Jim Montgomery and blueliner Niklas Nevalainen both returned for the ceremony. Dubuque then unveiled the Clark and Anderson Cup Championship banners that will hang from the rafters of the Mystique Community Ice Center.

On the ice during Saturday's game, the celebration continued. The Fighting Saints elated the fans for the first time in the second period with a pair of goals. Shane Eiserman scored Dubuque's first home goal of the 2013-2014 regular season with a beautiful power move to the goal. Eiserman blew right past the Sioux City defense and charged in alone on Sioux City goalie Connor Girard. Eiserman's shot snuck under the netminder as he crashed into the goaltender to make it 1-0 Fighting Saints at 7:38. Max McHugh had the lone assist.

Just over two minutes later, Jacob Benson added to Dubuque's lead with his first USHL goal. Benson got the puck from Keegan Ford, and snuck it through a defender's leg and crashed the net, slipping a shot through Girard's five-hole to double the Saints' lead at 9:43 of the second period.

Dubuque added a pair of goals in the third period. Kavanagh roofed a wrist shot over Girard's glove only 1:28 into the period to give Dubuque a 3-0 lead. Going one-on-one with a defender, Kavanagh fired a shot from the slot that went top corner for his first USHL goal. Jordan Klimek assisted.

The Fighting Saints would add one last exclamation point on a similar goal from Robby Darrar. Llauardo and Kavanagh moved the puck to the left wing where Darrar snapped a shot over Girard's glove to make it 4-0 at 5:19.

Frey was strong in goal for the Fighting Saints all night long, stopping all 20 shots to earn his first win of the season in goal and his first USHL shutout in his 39th appearance over the last three seasons.

Dubuque improved to 2-0-0 on the new season in a contest saw lots of chippy play as Kavanagh, Eiserman, Seamus Malone, and Ryan Chiasson all scrapped for Dubuque.

Dubuque continues their season next Friday when the Green Bay Gamblers come to town for a 7:05 p.m. contest at the Mystique Community Ice Center. Tickets are available by calling 563.583.6880 or visiting DubuqueFightingSaints.com.

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