West Des Moines, Iowa — The Des Moines Buccaneers (5-3-2-2) captured a 2-1 overtime victory against the USA Hockey NTDP U-17s (2-8-3-0) Friday night at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. Keaton Orrey and Riley Zupfer's 2-on-1 opportunity early in the extra period ended the match with a Bucs victory. Des Moines goalie Max Weilandt (5-2-2-2) backstopped the victory with 17 saves on 18 shots, rivaled by USA goalie Eli Winters' (0-4-0-0) 31 saves on 33 shots. The Bucs now head to Dubuque for a Thursday night matchup against the Fighting Saints next Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7:05 p.m.
After a scoreless first period, Christian Semetsis opened the scoring of the match at 1:57 of the middle frame, sending a shot from the point past Weilandt. Semetsis' goal was assisted by Finnegan Sears and Sam Pandolfo, bringing the score to 1-0. The Buccaneers' Ryland Rooney responded less than a minute later at 2:49 with his second goal of the season, assisted by forward Theo Kiss and defenseman Becker Wenkus, tying the contest 1-1.
Another scoreless period for the clubs saw the match head into overtime. At 1:26, Bucs defenseman Keaton Orrey capitalized on a 2-on-1 chance for Des Moines, sending a pass from Riley Zupfer flying past Winters for his second goal of the season and the 2-1 win.
The Bucs look ahead to a Thursday night matchup against the Dubuque Fighting Saints next Thursday, October 30, at ImOn Arena in Dubuque. The Buccaneers return to the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex to host the Tri-City Storm next Saturday, November 1. It is School Spirit Night with a School Supply Drive, and Tito's, Mug Club presented by Coors, and Signature Saturday! Saturday the Bucs will also be hosting a pre-game Scheels Floor Hockey Clinic at the RecPlex
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About the Buccaneers
Founded in 1980, the Des Moines Buccaneers are a proud member of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's premier junior hockey league. The Bucs have a history of success in the USHL, including 4 Clark Cup Championships, 4 Anderson Cup Championships, and 54 alumni drafted to the National Hockey League, including Stanley Cup Champions Kyle Okposo, Alex Chiasson, Trevor Lewis, Davis Drewiske, and Erik Cole. The organization is committed to developing young players on and off the ice, preparing them for a future in collegiate and professional careers. Known for their passionate fan base, the Bucs play their home games at The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, a multi-sport complex in West Des Moines, Iowa.
To learn more, visit www.bucshockey.com or follow the Bucs on social media: @bucshockey on X and Instagram, @desmoinesbuccaneers on TikTok, and Des Moines Buccaneers on Facebook. For more information about ticket packages, including season and group outings, please contact (515) 278-2827.
