CRANBERRY TWP, PA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (1-0-1-0, 3 pts) erupted for eight goals in an 8-3 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks (1-1-0-0, 2 pts) on Sunday afternoon.
After falling behind 2-1 at 12:18 of the first, Dubuque found another gear to finish the Fall Classic with an emphatic win. After Muskegon's second goal, the Saints Swarmed for seven-unanswered goals to torch past the Lumberjacks.
After five different Saints scored on Saturday against USA, Dubuque had eight different goal scorers in the whomping against Muskegon. Erik Påhlsson responded for the Saints' first goal of the game to tie the contest at one after Cody Croal scored early for Muskegon.
Soon after, Muskegon grabbed the lead right back, but Dubuque had an answer again. Påhlsson found Josh Giuliani on a short-handed chance and the first-year Saint began the Saints' streak of seven-straight goals.
Colin Frank scored his second in as many games to end the first before Gavin Cornforth, Juraj Pekarcik and Jake Sondreal all scored their first goals of the year in the middle period. Michael Barron put a bow on the second period with his second goal of the season. In the third, James Reeder tallied his first of the season to finish off the Saints' eight goals.
On Saturday, the Saints had 11 players record a point and eclipsed that mark in Sunday's win. Twelve Saints scored a point in the win, including five multi-point performances. Påhlsson and Sondreal both led the way with three points each on a goal and two assists.
In his USHL debut, goaltender Thatcher Bernstein made 20 saves to record the victory.
Dubuque is back in action on Friday for its home-opener against Waterloo. Tickets are available at dubuquefightingsaints.com/tickets.
