GENEVA, IL - The Dubuque Fighting Saints pulled goaltender Kevin Reidler in overtime on Saturday night leading to Caelum Dick's overtime tally, giving the Saints a 3-2 win over the Chicago Steel.
It was a tremendous gamble from head coach Kirk MacDonald that paid off for Dubuque. For the second-straight night, the Saints found themselves in a tied game in the final five minutes of regulation. The difference on Saturday: the Saints found a way to force overtime. MacDonald and Dick took care of the rest in the extra frame.
Prior to the unprecedented move by MacDonald, the Saints were backstopped by a great performance from Reidler. On multiple occasions, Reidler stopped Grade-A chances for Chicago and kept Dubuque in the contest. The biggest save of the night for Reidler came on a short-handed breakaway with five seconds left in the first period by Chicago's Kolin Sisson. Reidler made a glove save to keep the game 1-1 into the second period. In total, Reidler made 23 saves in his preseason debut for Dubuque.
The Saints first goal of the night came from Josh Giuliani to tie the game at one with about seven minutes to play in the first period. It was the second-consecutive game with a goal for Giuliani to open the preseason.
In the second period, Matthew Desiderio gave the Saints their first lead of the night, picking up the rebound from his own point-shot and firing it into the net.
The Saints are back in action on Thursday when they travel to Cedar Rapids to face the RoughRiders in the first leg of a preseason home-and-home to wrap up the exhibition slate.
