URBANDALE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (14-4-1-2, 31 pts) fell on the road 2-1 to the Des Moines Buccaneers (9-8-4-0, 22 pts) on Friday night.
For the second-straight Friday night in Buccaneer Arena, the Saints opened the scoring, but couldn't hold on in the third period to close out a win. Friday was just Dubuque's fourth regulation loss and third road-loss this season, with two coming in the last week against Des Moines.
Lucas St. Louis scored the Saints' league-leading 100th goal of the season to open the scoring early in the second period of the loss. He hammered in a rebound after Joona Väisänen ripped a shot from the point. It was Väisänen's 17th assist and 20th point of the season. His 17 helpers are tied for second most in the USHL. Juraj Pekarcik added a secondary assist in his first game since Nov. 11th, extending his personal point-streak to seven games.
Kevin Reidler made 19 stops on 21 shots, including a few stops on prime Des Moines chances. However, early in the third, a shot that redirected off of Caelum Dick snuck past Reidler to put Des Moines in front and the Saints couldn't find the tying goal.
The Fighting Saints, for the second-straight Friday in Des Moines, failed on all four power-play chances they had. Des Moines tied the game in the second period with a power-play goal by Lubomir Kupco.
Dubuque is back at home on Saturday night to take on the Lincoln Stars for Teddy Bear Toss night at ImOn Arena.
