West Des Moines, Iowa — The Des Moines Buccaneers (22-23-3-4) dominated the Sioux City Musketeers (26-21-3-2) in a 5-1 battle Saturday night at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. Riley Zupfer's second-period hat trick led the Bucs offensive surge, along with Blake Zielinski and Owen Tylec each tallying three assists on the night. Bucs goalie Alan Lendak (16-10-0-0) stopped 20 of 21 shots in the win. The Bucs look ahead to a Thursday night battle in Lincoln, facing the Stars for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop at the Ice Box on March 12.

Bucs forward Rhys Wallin opened the scoring of the match 10:27 into the first period, sending his shot from the left-wing circle top-shelf for his 12th goal on the season. Wallin's goal was assisted by Ryan Seelinger and Owen Tylec to give Des Moines the initial 1-0 lead.

Riley Zupfer's hat trick brought the Bucs the 4-0 lead at the close of the middle frame. All three goals came on the power play, the first at 13:30 as Blake Zielinski's pass from behind the net found Zupfer in the slot, whose wristshot brought the score to 2-0 Des Moines. Zupfer's second tally of the night found the back of the net at 14:29 off another pass from Zielinski and a secondary assist from forward Owen Tylec to show a score of 3-0. Zupfer finished out his hat trick at 18:49, shooting past Fichthorn from the right-wing circle to bring the Bucs lead to 4-0 with his 14th goal on the season, also assisted by Tylec and Zielinski.

Sioux City attempted a comeback with an even-strength goal from Max Anderson 5:47 into the final period, assisted by Ashton Schultz, to bring the score to 4-1. Bucs forward Nathan Hauad brought the final score to 5-1 with an empty-net goal at 18:22 off a pass from Luke Norcross.

The Bucs head out of town for two away games next week, starting out with a matchup against the Lincoln Stars at the Ice Box next Thursday, March 12, at 7:05 p.m. They then face the Black Hawks at Young Arena in Waterloo at 6:35 p.m. on March 13. The Bucs return home for a St. Patrick's Day Dupaco Cowbell Cup matchup and $1 dog night against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Tuesday, March 17, at 6:35 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Company 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.