DUBUQUE, IA - The Dubuque Fighting Saints (36-12-3-3, 78 pts) scored three power-play goals in the second period to build a lead and beat the Green Bay Gamblers (31-16-5-2, 69 pts) 6-2 on Saturday night.
After Noah Powell's ice-breaker just 50 seconds into the first period, the Saints entered the second with a one-goal lead. In the opening frame, the Saints failed on their only power-play chance. Halfway through the second, they got their next chance after a tripping call against Ben Poitras.Â
On the power play, Lucas St. Louis blasted home a one-timer on a feed from Juraj Pekarcik to put the Saints up 2-0. After a Green Bay power-play goal brought the Gamblers within one just a short time later, the Saints drew another penalty.
Less than 2:30 after Green Bay's tally, St. Louis capitalized again on the power play with a rebound goal. It was his 12th goal of the season and 11th on the power play. Dubuque drew another penalty right away after that goal and Powell scored his 34th on the power-play just 1:05 after St. Louis' second.
Overall, the Saints were perfect on three power-play chances in the second period. On their way to sweeping the four-game season series, the Saints power play finished 11-for-20 against the Gamblers this season. On Saturday, the Saints finished with three goals on five chances.
Caelum Dick's second of the year and Jake Sondreal's 27th added insurance for Dubuque in the third period as they rolled past Green Bay.
Kevin Reidler made 18 saves on 20 shots in his 24th victory of the season, the second-most wins in the USHL.
With the victory, the Saints extended their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference to nine points over second-place Green Bay with eight games remaining in the season.Â
Dubuque will have an opportunity on Sunday afternoon to complete its third three-win weekend of the season.