Des Moines Buccaneers Weekend Preview: Jan. 16 - 17
| Game: |
Date: |
Time: |
Location: |
| Des Moines at Omaha |
1/16 |
7:05 p.m. |
Liberty First Credit Union Arena |
| Dubuque at Des Moines |
1/17 |
6:05 p.m. |
MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex |
Results: Week of Jan. 9 Record: 0-2-0-0
Des Moines (3) at Youngstown (4) on Jan. 9
Des Moines (1) at Youngstown (4) on Jan. 10
Des Moines Top Scorers:
Ryan Seelinger (F) - 32GP | 17G | 19A | 36P
Blake Zielinski (F) - 25GP | 9G | 15A | 24P
Riley Zupfer (F) - 32GP | 7G | 12A | 19P
Des Moines Goaltenders:
Alan Lendak - 14GP | 6-8-0-0 | 2.50 GAA | 0.911 SV%
Andrei Nikolaev - 1GP | 0-1-0-0 | 3.06 GAA | 0.850 SV%
Buccaneers Notes:
- Blake Zielinski was ranked 56th in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft. Read more here. Zielinski was also named alternate captain for the Buccaneers for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
- Ryan Seelinger leads the club in scoring and ranks eleventh in the USHL with 36P (17G, 19A) in 32GP. Seelinger is on a ten-game point streak with 14P in his last 10GP.
- Riley Zupfer ranks fourth among USHL rookies in scoring with 19P (7G, 12A) in 32GP.
- The Bucs are 4-9-2-2 on the road, 6-7-1-2 at home, and 2-7-1-0 in their last 10GP.
OMAHA
Team Comparison
|
Des Moines |
Omaha |
|
Overall Record
|
10-16-3-4
|
10-23-1-2
|
|
Home Record
|
6-7-1-2
|
7-9-1-1
|
|
Away Record
|
4-9-2-2 |
3-14-0-1
|
|
Goals For
|
94
|
80
|
|
Goals Against
|
114
|
145
|
|
PP%
|
14.6%
|
9.8%
|
|
PK%
|
78.6%
|
75.2%
|
Previous and Upcoming Meetings
Des Moines (2) at Omaha (3) on Dec. 6 (SO)
Des Moines at Omaha on Jan. 16
Omaha at Des Moines on Feb. 6
Des Moines at Omaha on Feb. 7
Omaha at Des Moines on Feb. 27
Record: 0-0-0-1 Home: 0-0-0 Away: 0-0-0-1
Omaha Top Scorers:
Kole Hyles (F) - 34GP | 12G | 10A | 22P
Charlie Vig (F) - 35GP | 5G | 12A | 17P
Lefty Markondis (F) - 34GP | 7G | 7A | 14P
Omaha Goaltenders:
Nils Roberts Maurins - 17GP | 3-10-0-2 | 3.43 GAA | .893 SV%
Devin Shakar - 23GP | 7-12-1-0 | 3.88 GAA | .890 SV%
Lancers Notes:
- Omaha's power-play record sits at the bottom of the USHL at 9.8%.
- The Lancers are 7-9-1-1 at home and 5-4-0-1 in their last 10GP.
DUBUQUE
Team Comparison
|
Des Moines |
Dubuque |
|
Overall Record
|
10-16-3-4
|
23-9-2-0
|
|
Home Record
|
6-7-1-2
|
14-3-1-0
|
|
Away Record
|
4-9-2-2 |
9-6-1-0
|
|
Goals For
|
94
|
161
|
|
Goals Against
|
114
|
105
|
|
PP%
|
14.6%
|
30.8%
|
|
PK%
|
78.6%
|
80.3%
|
Previous and Upcoming Meetings
Des Moines (3) at Dubuque (4) on Oct. 30 (SO)
Des Moines (4) at Dubuque (8) on Nov. 26
Dubuque at Des Moines on Jan. 17
Dubuque at Des Moines on Mar. 6
Record: 0-1-0-1 Home: 0-0-0 Away: 0-1-0-1
Dubuque Top Scorers:
Michael Barron (F) - 34GP | 10G | 30A | 40P
Teddy Merrill (F) - 32GP | 20G | 16A | 36P
Masun Fleece (F) - 30GP | 17G | 13A | 30P
Dubuque Goaltenders:
Vojtech Hambalek - 23GP | 16-6-0-0 | 2.72 GAA | .903 SV%
Owen Crudale - 12GP | 7-3-2-0 | 3.28 GAA | .887 SV%
Saints Notes:
- Forward Michael Barron is the sixth-highest scorer in the USHL with 40P (10G, 30A) in 34GP. Barron is on a ten-game point streak with 20P in his last 10GP.
- Ludvig Lafton is the fourth-highest scoring defenseman in the USHL with 24P (1G, 23A) in 28GP.
- Dubuque has the top power play in the USHL, coming in at 30.8% on the season. The Saints have topped the USHL in offense with the most goals scored at 161.
- The Saints are on a give-game winning streak and are 9-6-1-0 on the road and 8-1-1-0 in their last 10GP.
Next Home Game: January 17
The Bucs' next home game is Saturday, Jan. 17, as they host a Dupaco Cowbell Cup matchup against the Dubuque Fighting Saints at 7:05 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. The Bucs will become the Des Moines 6 7s, sporting specialty jerseys for a night full of internet-themed fun! It is also Tito's Saturday, Coors Mug Club 1/2 off beverages and a post-game skate with the players presented by Prairie Meadows. 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.
