Saints to Play Own 'Winter Classic' Monday
Published on January 25, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - After one of the most thrilling weekends that Fighting Saints fans have seen indoors at the Mystique Community Ice Center, the citizens of Dubuque will see the game of hockey return to its roots next Monday night, January 31st when the first place Fighting Saints will scrimmage outdoors at Allison-Henderson Park.
Last weekends' games featured a 5-2 drubbing of rival Des Moines on Friday night, but the real highlight of the weekend came on Saturday. As frustrating as the first two periods were on Saturday against Lincoln, with the Saints falling behind 3-0, the payoff was well worth the wait in the third, as the Saints stormed back to send the game into overtime. Shootout goals from Vinny Saponari and John Gaudreau allowed the Saints to prevail, setting the Mystique Community Ice Center into a frenzy, and giving Dubuque its first shootout win of the season in spectacular comeback fashion. Clearly, the game left a strong impression on the Saints' fans.
Wendy Wilwert commented on the team's Facebook page after Saturday night's game, "I think my blood pressure is still elevated from the ending of that game! Oh man, that was an amazing comeback!"
The potential for excitement should be just as high at the outdoor event, with the rules designed to maximize scoring and fun for both players and spectators alike. After the entire squad completes a selection of drills, a red team and a white team will face off against each other for a game. The teams will play two twenty-five minute periods, the first of which will be played four on four and the second that will be played three on three, in order to open up the ice and increase scoring chances and drama for the fans in attendance.
Fighting Saints Head Coach Jim Montgomery says that many of his players have not had the opportunity to play outdoors, and that by giving them this chance, they will be able to experience hockey at its core. "It will be a nice event for our players because they will get an understanding of the grassroots of how this great game began," he said.
In addition to the chance for the players to experience the game in a new yet traditional environment, Montgomery believes that the outdoor game will provide fans with a unique view and experience of the game. "It will give our fans the opportunity to see and feel the speed and athleticism of the Fighting Saints players up close and personal," he added.
One player who has been fortunate enough to play outdoors on a big stage is Vinny Saponari, whose Boston University Terriers took on the Boston College Eagles at Fenway Park last winter, the weekend after the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins faced off on the same rink for the NHL's Winter Classic. "That was the first time I had played a real game outside.
Growing up in Georgia, I didn't get a bunch of chances to play outdoor hockey,"� said Saponari. He added, "The crowd (of 38,472) was huge. We got more fans than the Boston and Philadelphia game got the week before. They were pretty loud, and they braved the cold weather because it was snowing that night."
The popularity of outdoor hockey returning the game to its roots has gained steam over the past few years. The NHL's Winter Classic has become a New Year's Day tradition for hockey fans, with teams taking the ice in historic venues such as Fenway and Wrigley Field. College hockey games played outdoors have attracted massive crowds in recent seasons, most notably with the Michigan/Michigan State "Big Chill at the Big House" late last year where 113,411 fans saw the Wolverines beat the Spartans 5-0. While the sheer size of Allison-Henderson park would make accommodating even 1% of the crowd from "The Big Chill" problematic, it is sure to be an event fondly remembered by all participants, and one that the
Fighting Saints hope to make a winter tradition of their own. Attendance at the event is free and open to the public. The practice drills will begin at 5:30, while the scrimmage is scheduled to start at 6:00. Allison-Henderson Park is located at Grandview Avenue and Loras Boulevard in Dubuque. Fans are encouraged to come early to the event, as parking in the area is limited.
The Fighting Saints return to home ice at the Mystique Community Ice Center on February 11th, when the rival Waterloo Black Hawks come to Dubuque for the first time this year to renew the rivalry between the two towns. It is one of only three home games for the Saints in the month, but it should be a trio of exciting games as fellow in-state rivals Cedar Rapids and Des Moines will also pay a visit to the Key City. Fans interested in tickets can call the Fighting Saints at (563) 583-6880, visit www.dubuquefightingsaints.com, or stop by the Mystique Community Ice Center Box Office between 10 AM and 6 PM, Monday through Friday.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 25, 2011
- Jacks come up short in 5-4 loss to Indiana - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- USHL Update - Week 17 - USHL
- Saints to Play Own 'Winter Classic' Monday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Buy Local for the Big Game - Waterloo Black Hawks
- The Rud Report Tonight at Anduzzi's - Green Bay Gamblers
- Lancers Prepare For Busy Week Of Western Conference Showdowns - Omaha Lancers
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Jacks prepare for rematch with Ice, home-and-home set with Phantoms - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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