West Des Moines, Iowa — The Des Moines Buccaneers (16-18-3-4) dominated the Omaha Lancers (10-28-2-2) in a 6-3 victory Friday night at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. Bucs forward Rhys Wallin netted the game-winning goal and two assists on the night, as Owen Tylec and Ryan Seelinger also tallied multi-point games. The Bucs and Lancers faceoff again tomorrow night at Liberty First Credit Union Arena.
Lancers forward Lefty Markonidis opened the scoring of the contest just 2:19 into the first period, giving Omaha the initial 1-0 lead. Bucs forward Owen Tylec responded with a wrap-around goal at 3:55, finding Shakar's wide-open back door for his eighth goal of the season. Tylec's goal was assisted by defensemen Barrett Dexheimer and Jason Davenport, showing a score of 1-1. Ryan Seelinger brought the Bucs ahead at 9:11, assisted by Tylec and forward Rhys Wallin. Seelinger's 22nd of the season brought Des Moines ahead 2-1. Bucs forward Joseph Argentina shot from the right-wing circle for his sixth goal on the season off a pass from forward Henry Major at 14:23. Argentina's late first-period tally extended the Des Moines lead to 3-1.
Omaha found the back of the net just 57 seconds into the middle frame, as Frantisek Netusil's fifth goal on the year tightened the score at 3-2. Wallin restored the two-goal lead for Des Moines with a short-handed goal at 9:22, accepting a loose puck from Cade De St. Hubert and finding himself alone in front of the Lancers net to show a score of 4-2. Bucs forward Blake Zielinski netted a power-play goal to extend the lead further for Des Moines at 12:36. Defenseman Barrett Dexheimer's shot from the blue line was deflected by Jakub Dubravik and Zielinski sent the rebounded shot back-door for his 15th goal of the season, showing a score of 5-2.
Seelinger tallied his second of the night and 23rd on the season 13:56 into the final frame. Seelinger's goal on the partial breakaway was assisted by Tylec and showed a score of 6-2. Lancers forward Ryan Aaronson capped the scoring of the contest at 15:00, bringing the final score to 6-3.
The Bucs face the Lancers again tomorrow night at Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha. The Bucs return home for our annual Barkaneers Night Friday, February 13, presented by Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Tito's Handmade Vodka, featuring our inaugural Mutt Strut, benefiting AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport. Sign your mutt up today
here! The Bucs will sport specialty Barkaneers jerseys, available for auction following the game. It's a Dupaco Cowbell Cup matchup against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. It is also 2-for-1 beer, Fireball Friday, and, of course, dollar dog night. Don't miss out on the action! Buy your tickets
here.
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.
