YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (32-10-3-3, 70 pts) struck early on Saturday night and held on for a 3-0 win over the Youngstown Phantoms (26-15-4-3, 59 pts).

On the first shift of the game, the Saints' deadline acquisition Beckett Hendrickson pounced on a rebound in front of Youngstown's net to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. The Saints held onto their 1-0 lead until 98 seconds remained in the game and Hendrickson added an empty-netter for his second of the night.

Through the long stretch of play with the score 1-0, Dubuque's goaltender and penalty kill held Youngstown off the board. Between Hendrickson's two goals, the Saints had to kill off six Phantoms power plays. They added a seventh successful kill in the final minute of regulation. In their two-game sweep, the Saints penalty kill stopped all nine Youngstown power plays.

Kevin Reidler made 25 saves to log his second shutout of the season and jump into sole possession as the league's winningest goaltender this season. His 22nd win came in his second-straight night between the pipes for the Saints.

Dubuque's third goal came from Michael Barron with just 1:05 remaining in regulation. James Reeder, Fisher Scott and Jake Sondreal all added assists in the win. For Sondreal, it was his 99th career point and 61st of the season.

The Fighting Saints' two victories in Youngstown came against a Phantoms team that had lost one time in regulation in its first 18 home games of the season. Dubuque handed the Phantoms their second and third regulation losses in the Covelli Centre this season.

With their pair of wins this weekend, the Fighting Saints' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is down to four. When they hit the ice in Cedar Rapids on Friday night, a regulation win would seal Dubuque's place in the Clark Cup Playoffs.