Dubuque, IA – The Dubuque Fighting Saints (38-18-4-0, 80 pts) open the final weekend of the regular season against the Muskegon Lumberjacks (36-22-1-1, 74 pts) on Friday at ImOn Arena.
Here are five things to know ahead of the matchup:
1. Last Look
The Fighting Saints play the final weekend of the regular season at home against Muskegon as they aim to lock up a first-round bye in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
With two games remaining, Dubuque holds a one-point advantage over Cedar Rapids for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Dubuque's magic number to clinch a bye is three entering the weekend.
2. Captain Clutch
Dubuque earned a victory on Wednesday night against Waterloo, led by Captain Teddy Merrill's career-high four points. Merrill assisted twice in the first period before scoring twice in the third to factor in each of Dubuque's first four goals.
Merrill has 30 goals for the first time in his USHL career and has 58 points in 58 games for the Fighting Saints this season. Merrill has 97 points in his career for Dubuque.
3. Instant Impact
Following an eight-game absence, Masun Fleece returned to the lineup on Wednesday and scored his 24th goal of the season to extend a personal point-streak to 12 games.
Over the point streak, Fleece has scored five goals and 14 total points for Dubuque. His 46 points over 48 games played are the fourth-most on the team.
4. Big Blocker
Vojtech Hambálek made a career-high 38 saves last Friday in Fargo, stopped 36 more on Saturday and has a .929 save percentage over his last nine appearances.
In the Saints' lone win over Muskegon through the first four meetings, Hambálek made 27 saves on 29 shots for a 5-2 win on Oct. 17.
5. Muskegon Minute
The Lumberjacks enter with a playoff spot locked up, but lost twice to the U18s last weekend. After Muskegon's sweep over the Saints in late November, the Jacks had an 18-5-0-0 record. In 37 games since, the Jacks are 18-17-1-1.
Muskegon's defense is one of the best in the league, led by goaltender Carl Axelsson's .917 save percentage. The goaltender is second in the league with that mark and the Lumberjacks have the fourth-best defense in the league with 2.90 goals against per game.
Friday's Dubuque Fire Equipment Blackout Night game begins at 7:05 p.m. CDT at ImOn Arena and tickets can be purchased here. The game is also available on Eagle 102.3 and FloHockey.
