West Des Moines, Iowa — The Des Moines Buccaneers (9-12-2-4) fell to the Tri-City Storm (12-15-3-1) in a tight 4-3 match Saturday night at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. Tri-City forward Mason Jensen's unassisted goal early in the final frame pulled the Storm ahead with their fourth goal of the night. The Bucs look ahead to a New Years Eve matchup against the Waterloo Black Hawks on Wednesday, January 31, at 6:35 p.m. at Young Arena.

Bucs forward Blake Zielinski opened the scoring of the game with the teddy-bear-toss goal just 3:31 into the first period. Zielinski's breakaway goal was assisted by forward Adam Zidlicky and defenseman Ryland Randle and showed Des Moines ahead 1-0. Tri-City forward Frantisek Netusil responded with a goal for the Storm just 17 seconds later, showing a score of 1-1. The Bucs pulled ahead again at 7:28, as Nathan Hauad tallied his third goal of the season, sending his shot from the left-wing circle flying past Nelson. Hauad's goal was assisted by forward Ryan Seelinger and defenseman Ryan Kroll and saw the Bucs ahead once more at 2-1. The Storm responded with another tally at 8:20 as forward Cameron Springer evened the score 2-2. Tri-City pulled ahead with a goal from forward Oliver Ozogany at 11:24, showing a score of 3-2. 

Zielinski tallied his second goal of the night and fifth of the season just 1:22 into the middle frame, sending home a tic-tac-toe play from forwards Owen Tylec and Seelinger to even the score once more at 3-3.

Tri-City forward Mason Jensen scored the final goal of the night, pulling the Storm ahead 2:50 into the third period, showing a final score of 4-3.

The Bucs look ahead to a New Years Eve matchup in Waterloo at 6:35 p.m. at Young Arena. They then three games at home next weekend, kicking off Friday, Jan. 2, with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the Sioux Falls Stampede, featuring Buzzballz College night (2 for $8 Buzzballz, $5 off tickets for college students), 2-for-1 beer night, and Fireball Friday. They then host back-to-back matchups against the Green Bay Gamblers Saturday, Jan. 3, at 6:35 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 4 at 3:05 p.m. Saturday is Farmer's Appreciation Night presented by IAWA, with specialty farmer-based jerseys, a water bottle giveaway, and Coors Mug Club 1/2 off beverages. Sunday is Youth Sports Night, presented by DMYHA, featuring a youth jersey t-shirt giveaway, $1 hot dog night, and a JP Party Rentals Kids Zone! Don't miss out on the action! 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.