DUBUQUE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (23-9-1-3, 50 pts) took down the Des Moines Buccaneers (12-19-4-0, 28 pts) 4-2 at home on Saturday night.

With 4.2 seconds left in the second period, Joona Väisänen parked himself in front of the net and redirected a pass from Fisher Scott to break a 1-1 tie. 

After a Jake Sondreal power-play goal early in the first period, the Saints led by a goal until the late stages of the second. With just over four minutes left in the middle frame, Des Moines scored to tie the game at one. Then, Väisänen's tally put the Saints ahead.

Early in the third, Josh Giuliani extended the Fighting Saints' lead to two with his first goal since Sept. 24 against Muskegon. It was his second of the season and became the eventual game-winning goal.

Special teams were crucial for the Saints in Saturday's win, killing off all three Des Moines power plays in the contest. Sondreal's 16th goal broke the ice in the first as the Saints converted on one of their two power plays. Sondreal continues to lead the USHL with 46 points.

Kevin Reidler tied the league-lead with his 15th win of the season, making 21 saves on 23 Bucs shots.

Dubuque's win secured the Saints 50th point of the season, making the Saints the first Eastern Conference team to reach that mark. The East-leading Saints make their way to Dallas next week to take on Sioux Falls in the Frosty Cup.