DUBUQUE, IA - Led by 11 points from their top line of Erik Påhlsson, Jake Sondreal and James Reeder, the Dubuque Fighting Saints (20-7-1-3, 44 pts) defeated the Muskegon Lumberjacks (17-11-1-1, 36 pts) 8-2 on Friday night.
The Fighting Saints began the game with a bang, scoring twice in the first 2:46 of the contest. Påhlsson logged the first of his Saints-record five points with a goal just 47 seconds into the game. Påhlsson tied Chase LaPinta and Stephen Halliday for the Saints' modern single-game record, adding another goal and three assists in the win.
Reeder scored twice, while Sondreal assisted on three of the four goals by his linemates in Friday's win. In the victory, the Saints had six players record multiple points and four players logged three-or-more points.
James Norton, in his third win for Dubuque, stopped 25 shots and a Muskegon penalty shot in his fourth USHL game.
Dubuque also had goal contributions from Michael Barron (9), Teddy Merrill (6), Chase LaPinta (7) and Charlie Arend (5) in the blowout-win.
After leading by a pair headed to the third, Dubuque scored three times in the first 3:25 of the third period to blow the game open and take charge.
The Fighting Saints return to ImOn Arena on Saturday night to wrap up their weekend against the Lumberjacks.
