CHICAGO, Ill. — The Des Moines Buccaneers (2-0-0-0) pick up four points at the USHL Fall Classic with a 7-3 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms (0-1-0-0) Wednesday afternoon at USG Arena. A second period hat trick for Mason Jenson powered the Bucs to a four-goal lead by the end of the middle frame. Both teams faced 23 shots on net, with Des Moines goalie Kimi Saffran (1-0-0-0) earning his first win of the season with 20 saves.
Bucs forward Bradley Whang opened the scoring of the game 4:29 into the middle frame, picking up a loose puck in the right-wing circle, dangling past the Phantoms' defense, and easily putting the puck past the Youngstown netminder. Des Moines forward Eli Bimmerle doubled the Bucs lead at 18:18, sending his back-handed shot bar-down off a centering pass from defenseman Becker Wenkus. Defenseman Kalib Capecci also assisted on the goal that showed the Bucs ahead 2-0.
Youngstown forward Nikita Koltsov cut the Phantoms deficit in half just 1:36 into the middle frame to show a score of 2-1. Bucs forward Jakub Dubravík restored the two-goal lead at 2:51, sending a breakaway goal flying to the back of the net off a feed from forward Chris Pinko to make it 3-1.
Bucs forward Mason Jenson scored his first of three goals on the power-play 4:28 into the second period, shooting in a one-time shot from the right-wing circle for his second goal of the season. Jenson's first goal was assisted by forwards Riley Zupfer and Joey Argentina to show the Bucs up 4-1. Koltsov cut the lead again at 7:07, but Jenson's second goal of the night on the breakaway at 8:09 brought Des Moines up 5-2, assisted again by Zupfer and Argentina. A two-on-zero breakaway for Jenson and Argentina at 11:53 completed Jenson's hat trick and brought the Bucs a four-goal lead. Argentina found the back of the net for a short-handed breakaway goal at 19:18 to show a score of 7-2.
Phantoms forward Logan Anderson scored the lone goal of the third period on the power play at 3:30, showing a final score of 7-3.
The Bucs look ahead to back-to-back games in Omaha next weekend, kicking off with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the Lancers on Friday, Sept. 25 at Liberty First Credit Union Arena. The Bucs' home opener is just two short weeks away! Opening weekend is PACKED with fan favorite promos. Join us on October 2 for a schedule magnet giveaway and our first Fireball Friday, Kwik Star Friday, and 2-for-1 beer night! October 3 is Kids' Opening Day, featuring a hat & mitten toss, Signature Saturday, and Tito's Saturday.
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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.
