Smith Twins Fuel Overtime Triumph
March 4, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - On a night in which the Dubuque Fighting Saints paid homage to the 1983 team that did a lot of winning, the Fighting Saints did some winning of their own with a 3-2 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Stampede on Friday night at the Mystique Community Ice Center.
With just 7.7 seconds remaining in overtime, an offensive zone turnover by the Stampede led to a 2-on-0 break with Evan Smith and Mitchell Smith bearing down on goaltender Ales Stezka. While playing a little bit of catch, Mitchell buried the puck to the top shelf and ended the game right then and there.
Twice, the Stampede erased Fighting Saints leads. Michael O'Leary's first period tally off of a pass from Brett Boeing started the scoring. But early in the second period, the scorching-hot Carson Gicewicz responded to that goal for the Herd.
Shane Kavanagh put Dubuque out in front following up on a Boeing breakaway miss. O'Leary collected the puck behind the net and found Kavanagh all alone at the netmouth. His 11th goal of the season put the Fighting Saints up 2-1 after 40 minutes of action.
It would be leading scorer Parker Tuomie, who the Stampede have relied on all season long, that tied the game. From below the goal line, Tuomie stashed a puck through Hunter Miska at an impossible angle, and tied the game. Dubuque was forced to kill off a late tripping minor on Gordie Green, which passed into overtime, with nothing across.
In a penalty-filled game, neither team could score with the man advantage, even with 92 minutes of penalties called combined.
After the game, each 1983-inspired jersey was auctioned off, with all proceeds benefitting the Dubuque Youth Hockey Association. Willie Knierim's jersey was auctioned off at $2,700, which set a new record for the all-time highest amount raised by one single item.
Travel to a long time ago in a galaxy, far, far away as the Fighting Saints celebrate Star Wars Night at 7:05 p.m. The Sioux Falls Stampede return to wrap up the season series on Saturday night. Secure your spot by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or go online to DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2016
- Smith Twins Fuel Overtime Triumph - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Fargo Edges Musketeers 2-1 - Sioux City Musketeers
- Stars win over Des Moines - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Stampede Earn Standings Point in OT Loss at Dubuque - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Thunder Score 5, Keep Hot Streak Going - Bloomington Thunder
- Specials Teams Is Capitols' Undoing in Loss to Phantoms - Madison Capitols
- Thunder Score 5, Keep Hot Streak Going - Bloomington Thunder
- Kielly Shuts out Lancers, 4-0 - Tri-City Storm
- Special Teams Power Phantoms over Capitols - Youngstown Phantoms
- Gamblers Win at Home - Green Bay Gamblers
- Stars Pump Buccaneers, 6-3 - Lincoln Stars
- Power-Play Goals Sink Lancers in 4-0 Loss - Omaha Lancers
- Lumberjacks Fall to Green Bay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Caps' New-Look Squad Rolls into Youngstown - Madison Capitols
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