Dubuque, Iowa — The Des Moines Buccaneers (8-8-2-3) fell 8-4 to the Dubuque Fighting Saints (15-5-1-0) Wednesday night at ImOn Arena. A five-goal opening frame for the Saints created a deficit the Bucs could not recover from. Dubuque goalie Vojtech Hambalek (10-3-0-0) stopped 14 of 18 shots on goal, while Bucs goalie Andrew Bely (0-2-0-1) who ended the night with 29 saves. The Bucs return home for a matchup against the Lincoln Stars Friday, Nov. 28 at 7:05 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex.
Ryan Seelinger opened the scoring of the match for Des Moines with a shot from the inner slot to give the Bucs the early 1-0 lead. Seelinger's 12th goal of the season just 3:45 into the opening frame was assisted by forwards Owen Tylec and Riley Zupfer. The Saints responded with five unanswered goals to closed out the first period, the fiirst from top goal-scorer Masun Fleece just 22 seconds after Seelinger's goal to tie the match 1-1. Gavin Lock brought Dubuque ahead 2-1 at 9:38. Cooper Conway's shot from the high slot extended the Saints lead to 3-1 at 11:45, followed by Xavier Lieb's tap in at 12:19 to show a score of 4-1. Colin Frank closed the scoring of the first period at 15:30 with a breakaway goal to bring the score to 5-1.
Tylec put up the second goal of the night for the Bucs, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 chance 4:31 into the second period. Tylec's fifth goal of the season was unassisted and narrowed the Bucs deficit to 5-2. Two quick goals for the Saints to close the second period, the first from Frank at 16:49 and the second from Kristopher Richards at 17:33 to show a score of 7-2.
Bucs defenseman Henry Chmiel tallied his first USHL goal 10:18 into the second period as his shot from the point flew past Hambalek. Chmiel's goal was assisted by forwards Adam Zidlicky and Nate Delladonna to show a score of 7-3. Lieb responded with the final goal of the night for the Saints at 15:43. Seelinger tallied his second of the night unassisted at 19:10 to show a final score of 8-4.
The Bucs return for a Black Out Black Friday game against the Lincoln Stars Friday, Nov. 28, at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. The Bucs will be wearing specialty black out jerseys, available for auction on DASH following the game, a sunglasses giveaway, 2-for-1 beer, and Fireball Friday. It is also our annual Teddy Bear Toss! Bring your bears and be ready to throw them out on the ice when the Bucs score their first goal of the game. It's a night you don't want to miss! Buy your tickets here.
Holiday Hat Trick package available now! Click here for more information.
Purchase your new merchandise from the Bucs Galley today!
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.
