Smith's Overtime Heroics Pushes Dubuque Past Des Moines
February 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
URBANDALE, IA- For a second straight night, it was Mitchell Smith who played hero for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The forward's goal 2:30 into overtime earned the Fighting Saints a 4-3 road victory over the Des Moines Buccaneers Saturday. Dubuque, who also got two goals from Seamus Malone, won their third overtime game of the season and moved to 26-12-4 on the year. With the win and a Muskegon loss, Dubuque moved into 3rd Place in the Eastern Conference and now trails tomorrow's opponent, Cedar Rapids, but just four points for the top spot in the conference.
Trailing 2-1 heading into the game's final period, Dubuque rallied to take a brief lead. Malone scored his first of two goals at 6:40 of the third period, striking on a breakaway. Sasha Larocque stole the puck in neutral ice and fed Malone who raced in on goal. He maneuvered around Ruck to even the score.
Malone would briefly give Dubuque a 3-2 lead with another goal at 9:01. After a chance in tight was denied, Nathan Sucese worked the puck to Malone on the left wing. The forward delayed and waited for a lane to clear. He snapped a wrist shot that Ruck never saw for his second goal of the game.
Des Moines would tie the game on a mad scramble only 50 seconds later. A bad angle shot snuck through Nieto and back to the goal line. Nieto denied a wack of the puck with his glove, but Joe Lappin's second attempt found the back of the net to tie the game, 3-3.
After both teams failed to strike in regulation, the game went to overtime where Smith struck. With his twin brother Evan causing havoc behind the play, Smith raced the puck down the left wing. He took a step towards the goal and fired a wrist shot over Ruck for the game-winning goal 2:30 into overtime, giving Dubuque two critical points in the Eastern Conference.
Des Moines, who had just one win in its past 10 games entering Saturday's contest, used the momentum of a large crowd to earn an early 2-0 lead before Dubuque's comeback. Corey Schuneman struck first, scoring just 3:54 into the game. Schuneman, who leads defenseman in scoring in the USHL, got a pass off the half-boards from Tanner Karty. He took a step in from the blue line and fired a slap shot that beat Nieto over the right pad to make it 1-0 Des Moines.
Brennan Sanford would add to Des Moines lead at the 9:32 mark. Schuneman picked up the assist on the goal, walking the puck into the Dubuque zone and drawing two Fighting Saints defenders to him. As he took a hit, he fed Sanford with a pass. The Des Moines forward let a shot from the left wing that beat Nieto over the catching glove to double Des Moines early lead.
The Fighting Saints would respond late in the period as forward Brian Bowen added his first goal as a member of the Fighting Saints. The puck came towards the front of the Des Moines goal and Bowen deflected it upwards. He then tapped the puck in mid air, arching it up over Ruck. The goal was Bowen's 11th of the season and came at 15:17 of the opening frame.
Dubuque outshot Des Moines 34-26 on the evening. The loss moved Des Moines to 0-5 in overtime this season.
Dubuque finishes a busy weekend with a 3:05 p.m. home game with Cedar Rapids. Tomorrow's game is Mascot Mania, presented by Victory Ford. The game features the TH Media Family 4 Pack special available starting at just $48 and a post-game "Skate with the Saints" where fans will be invited to take the ice with the players. Tickets are available by calling 563.583.6680 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
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