Saints Solve Hawks, Clinch First Place in Eastern Conference
March 23, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
WATERLOO, Iowa "" The Waterloo Black Hawks seemed to have the Dubuque's number at the Young Arena this season, but the motto of "It's not how you start but how you finish," came into play Saturday night. The Fighting Saints earned its first win in Waterloo, topping the Black Hawks 4-1 thanks to two goals in the second period, and moved four points ahead in the race for the Prairie Farms Cowbell Cup. With Green Bay's loss versus Cedar Rapids and Dubuque's win, the Fighting Saints also clinched the one-seed in the Eastern Conference.
Waterloo, who had not trailed all season long against the Fighting Saints at the Young Arena, scored first on the powerplay at 12:33 of the game's opening frame. Victor Newell blasted a shot from the blueline past a fallen Dubuque goalie Arthur Brey to make it 1-0 Waterloo. Brey had collided with Waterloo forward Ryan Papa while charging out of his goal crease and argued for goaltender interference but Newell's goal stood.
Dubuque responded quickly to tie the game. Frankie DiChiara notched his 24th goal of the season on a wrap-around to quiet the Young Arena crowd. After being unable to capitalize on a golden chance a few minutes earlier, DiChiara made his second attempt count. The forward accepted a Jeff Taylor pass and cut behind the goal. With Waterloo goalie Eamon McAdam stretching to cover the far post, DiChiara wrapped the puck towards the net, off the goaltenders leg, and over the goal line to make it 1-1 at 15:01.
The second period belonged to the Fighting Saints. Dubuque appeared to score in the first half of the period but the goal was waived off. Joe Manno's shot slipped past McAdam and appeared to cross the goal line before being dug out of the net. Evan Janssen then shot the puck in again, but the whistle was blowing and the goal was negated. However, that bit of adversity didn't stop the Fighting Saints offense who outshot Waterloo 15-5 in the middle frame.
The Fighting Saints earned its first lead of the season at the Young Arena on a beautiful end-to-end rush that resulted in the Niklas Nevalainen's 4th goal of the season at 11:10. Nevalainen took the puck from his own zone, flew up the ice, cut to the right over the red line and carried the puck into the Waterloo zone before firing a snap shot. The shot hit a Waterloo player's stick and changed directions, skipping between McAdam's legs to give Dubuque a 2-1 lead.
The Fighting Saints added insurance heading into the games final period. With only 38.8 seconds remaining in the second period, captain Shane Sooth flipped in his 13th goal of the season on a backhander to make it 3-1 Dubuque. Karson Kuhlman got the puck from Frankie DiChiara and drove the puck to the goal for Dubuque and fired a shot that was blocked. Sooth collected the rebound and roofed a backhander over McAdam to give Dubuque a two-goal lead heading into the third period.
Peter Quenneville scored the lone goal of the third period on the powerplay at 4:52 to give Dubuque a commanding lead. Sooth shoveled the puck towards the goal and it was left wide open in front for Quenneville who pushed it past Cal Petersen who took over in goal in the third period for Waterloo. Quenneville's 29th goal of the season was all the Fighting Saints needed en route to the win.
Brey captured the win in goal to improve his record to 21-5-3. He stopped 25 shots to lead Dubuque to victory. The Fighting Saints were 1-for-5 on the powerplay while the Waterloo went 1-for-3.
With the victory, Dubuque pulled four points in front of Waterloo for the lead in the Prairie Farms Cowbell Cup standings. Waterloo has two games remaining, including a contest with Dubuque on April 5 at the Mystique Community Ice Center. They will have to win both of those games, and top Dubuque in regulation, in order to earn a shot at the trophy. Dubuque is the defending champions.
Dubuque returns home Sunday for a matchup with Team USA U-17. The game is Mascot Mania presented by Queen B Radio. The afternoon is jam-packed with family fun, as it is also a TH Family Four Pack game and after the contest it's a Post-Game Skate with the Saints. Fans are encouraged to purchase all tickets, including TH Family Four Packs, in advance to guarantee the best seat location. Tickets purchased on the day of the game are an additional $1.95. Fans may order seats to Sunday's game by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2013
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