Saints Travel to Des Moines for Rare Monday Game
November 23, 2020 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
After two weeks off the Fighting Saints are back in action, hitting the ice for their third game of the season and a rare Monday night showdown against the Des Moines Buccaneers. Des Moines completed their first game of the season this past weekend, notching a hard-fought victory over the Lincoln Stars. The Buccaneers and the Saints already have some familiarity with each other as the two squared off twice during preseason action with each team winning on their opponent's home ice. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 tonight.
-As is the case with traversing a season during the midst of COVID-19, both teams have already had their schedules impacted by the virus. Dubuque has not played since opening weekend, while the Buccaneers start to their season was delayed two weeks before they hit the ice this past Saturday.
-It is tough to assess these early season matchups as is, but with all the postponements and variables heading into Monday's contest, it is even harder to handicap the matchup. Des Moines waltzes into the game with a 1-0 record while Dubuque is looking for their first win of the season as they sit at 0-2.
-The Saints struggled defensively in their lone weekend of play, allowing 11 goals over the two games. While the offense was solid with seven total goals, the Saints will need a more consistent sixty-minute effort from their blue line if they want to start piling up points in the win column.
-Des Moines rallied in their lone affair this season, tossing in two third period goals to knock-off the Lincoln Stars. Des Moines was out-played handedly at five on five, but they were 4-5 on the power play as special teams accounted for all of their goals.
-Dubuque saw a similar pattern in their games against Des Moines during the preseason. The Saints won 4-1 and limited Des Moines special team effort in their first preseason game. The following night in game two, Des Moines scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded, while Dubuque recorded both of their goals at five on five.
-The Saints are led on offense right now by Connor Kurth who scored three goals in his first ever USHL game. Braden Doyle has chipped in two points on the blue line, Daniyal Dzhaniyev has also recorded two points this season and Riley Stuart has two assists. Dubuque's defense has been a main part of the scoring as blue liners have accounted for two of the teams seven goals.
-Dubuque faces off at home against Team USA's NTDP on Saturday November 28th for their next game. The puck will drop at 7:05 pm.
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