Dubuque, IA – The Dubuque Fighting Saints (4-0-0-0, 8 pts) held off a push from the Omaha Lancers (1-4-0-0, 2 pts) in a 3-2 win in their home opener on Friday night.

Teddy Merrill logged his second multi-goal game of the season in the win over the Lancers on Friday. His fourth and fifth goals of the season bookended the scoring for the Saints and both were assisted by Cooper Conway. In the first, Conway moved between his legs and found Merrill across ice with a no-look pass to set up a one-timer from the captain.

With a 2-1 lead in the third, Conway sped up the wing and wrapped around the net to find Merrill in front for his second of the night. Conway has four assists on the season after the multi-assist game.

Dubuque launched 42 shots on goal in the victory, the Saints' highest total of the season so far. Devin Shakar made 39 saves for the Lancers as Dubuque beat him once in each period.

Vojtech Hambálek made 25 saves in his third win of the season for the Fighting Saints and helped Dubuque to a perfect night in three penalty-kill chances.

The Saints were held scoreless on the power play for the first time this season, failing to score on four opportunities.

Dubuque's second goal came late in the second from Masun Fleece to give Dubuque a 2-1 lead. Fleece's first goal as a Fighting Saint came after a faceoff win by Charlie Arend. Arend's assist extended his point-streak to four to start the season, a career-long.

The Fighting Saints return to the ice on Saturday to finish the series with the Lancers.