USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

Solid Effort Sparks Saints to 4-1 Win over Jacks in Game 1

Published on April 17, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa-The Dubuque Fighting Saints pursuit of the Clark Cup started on a high note Wednesday night. The Fighting Saints opened the 2013 Clark Cup Playoffs by continuing its season long dominance of Muskegon and notching a 4-1 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Mystique Community Ice Center. With the victory, the Fighting Saints take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series, which continues Friday night in Dubuque.

Heading into the playoff matchup with fourth-seeded Muskegon, the top-seeded Fighting Saints recorded a 6-1-0 mark versus the Lumberjacks during the 2012-13 season, including going 4-0-0 at the Mystique Community Ice Center. Wednesday's results were more of the same for the Fighting Saints.

Leading 1-0 already on a Frankie DiChiara goal, the Fighting Saints were sparked by a strong second period that saw them score only :17 into the game's middle frame. Continuing their strong play over the season's last month, the line of Jarrid Privitera, Evan Janssen, and Joe Manno struck. Muskegon held the puck in its own zone and Privitera applied the forecheck for Dubuque. He jarred the puck free to Janssen behind the goal, who fed the puck to Manno in front. Manno fired a shot that redirected off a Muskegon defender and fluttered past Muskegon goalie Kevin Lindskoug's glove to make it 2-0 Dubuque.

Dubuque would add to its lead later in the period on a goal by alternate captain Mike Szmatula. After leading the Fighting Saints with 37 goals in the regular season, Smzatula scored his first goal of the playoffs on a wrist shot that ripped the top corner on the powerplay. Szmatula got the puck from blueliner Matt Benning and cut off the right wing boards to the middle of the ice. With no pressure from Muskegon, Szmatula cut to the high slot and snapped a shot over Lindskoug's glove to extend Dubuque's lead to 3-0 at 12:11.

Defensively in the second period, Dubuque was strong, limiting Muskegon to only five shots that were all kicked aside by goalie Arthur Brey. The Fighting Saints shut down Muskegon's powerplay, cleared the net front, and blocked numerous shots.

The two teams traded powerplay goals in the third period. Adam Gilmour struck for the lone Muskegon goal, converting off a Niklas Nevalainen giveaway for an unassisted tally to make it 3-1 Dubuque at 2:36. However the Fighting Saints would regain a three goal lead just over 10 minutes later thanks to Karson Kuhlman. The forward struck for his first tally of the playoffs on the second effort at 13:55 on the powerplay. Jeff Taylor's shot from the point produced a rebound that Kuhlman knocked around Lindskoug and into the crease. As the puck spun in the blue paint, Kuhlman got a second wack and converted to make it 4-1 Fighting Saints. DiChaira also added an assist giving him a multi-point contest.

Dubuque was 2-for-4 on the powerplay in Wednesday night's game, while Muskegon was 1-for-4. Brey earned the victory in goal for the Fighting Saints stopping 20 shots. Dubuque outshot Muskegon 28-21 on the evening.

Game 2 is Friday in Dubuque at 7:35 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans get a Playoff T-Shirt courtesy of Dubuque Fire Equipment. The series will shift to Muskegon for Game 3 Sunday at 4:15 p.m. and if needed, Game 4 would be played at the L.C. Walker Arena Monday evening at 6:15 p.m. If necessary, a winner take all Game 5 would be next Wednesday, April 24 at 7:05 p.m. at the Mystique Community Ice Center. Tickets are on sale now for all home playoff games at DubuqueFightingSaints.com and by calling 563.583.6880.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2013


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