URBANDALE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (28-9-3-3, 62 pts) scored twice in the last 10 minutes of regulation to beat the Des Moines Buccaneers (15-24-4-0, 34 pts) 3-2 on Saturday night.
After leading 1-0 into the third period, the Fighting Saints allowed two Des Moines goals in the opening half of the final frame. Shortly after the second, with their first deficit of the night, the Saints headed to their second penalty kill of the game.
On a defensive-zone faceoff, James Reeder batted the puck forward and sent Jake Sondreal off to the races. Sondreal scored his first short-handed goal of the season on the breakaway and evened the game at one with 8:20 remaining. The game remained tied until late, when Colin Frank plunged across the slot and ripped home a backhand with 2:05 left in the third. It was his second goal in as many games. Frank's tally on Friday ended a 16-game drought and his Saturday tally stood as the game-winner.
Dylan Johnson earned his second career win with 23 saves on Saturday night, including 10 in the second period.
Dubuque held the lead after two from Erik Påhlsson's 19th of the season, before the third period opened up for four of the five total goals in the game. Påhlsson was assisted by Fisher Scott and Juraj Pekarcik.Â
The Saints have won the first two games of their third three-in-three of the season and will aim for the sweep on Sunday evening in Lincoln against the Stars.