DUBUQUE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (1-0-1-1, 4 pts) fell 5-4 in a shootout to the Waterloo Black Hawks (1-2-0-0, 2 pts) on Friday night.
Gavin Cornforth had a career-night in a game the Saints could never fully seize momentum in. The second-year Saint had two goals and two assists in the loss, scoring twice in the second period.
Cornforth, and linemate Erik Påhlsson, each continued hot starts for the Saints offense. Påhlsson added a goal and two more assists on Friday, to claim the team lead with six total points.
After the Fighting Saints were outshot 14-3 in the opening period, Dubuque shifted the momentum in the second period turning a 2-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead. The Saints led 4-2 in the middle period, but allowed a late goal after James Reeder took a hit in the Saints' zone and Waterloo converted on a chance.
The Saints' power play continued a strong start in the early-going on Friday night. The man-advantage went 2-for-4 against Waterloo, bringing its season total to 5-for-13. Cornforth and Påhlsson both scored the power-play goals for the Saints.
Kevin Reidler allowed four goals on 39 shots in the defeat, but made some big saves for the Saints to keep them alive in regulation and overtime on multiple occasions. Jayden Jubenvill also scored for Dubuque in the shootout loss.
The Saints are back in action on Saturday when they visit Cedar Rapids for the RoughRiders' home-opener. Puck drop is at 7:05 and can be seen on FloHockey and heard on Eagle 102.3.
