DUBUQUE, Iowa -The Dubuque Fighting Saints delighted a packed Mystique Community Ice Center crowd in the third game of the United States Hockey League Clark Cup Finals Friday night with a 4-2 win over the defending Cup Champions the Green Bay Packers. They now lead the best of five series 2-1.
A noisy sellout crowd of 3,140 watched a more physical game as the teams which had played virtually penalty free in the first two games of the series in Green Bay stepped up their trips to the penalty box. A total of 19 penalties produced seven power play opportunities, three for Green Bay and four for the home team but all six goals in the game came while the teams were at even strength.
Green Bay opened the scoring with a late first period strike from Grant Larson who was set up by C. J Eck and David Goodwin. Larson beat Dubuque’s Matt Morris who made his third straight start in goal for the Fighting Saints. Losing goal tender Ryan McKay was able to protect that 1-0 lead into the break despite facing a barrage of 11 first period shots and a constant roar from the largely home team crowd.
Period two however was all Dubuque as they scored three straight times in the middle stanza. They then added their fourth score early in the third period to pull away. Dubuque launched 29 shots on McKay and his relief goalie Adam Wilcox. Green Bay had 20 shots on net.
Dubuque got three goals within a two minute span in the second period to put the game away. Tony Larson (Shane Sooth, Tyler Lundey) scored at 10:12. Just over a minute later a series of back and forth passes between Zemgus Girgensons and Vinny Saponari set up Joakim Ryan’s nifty strike at 11:16. Less than thirty seconds the crowd erupted again as Lundey set up by T.J. Moor and Tony Larson gave the home team a 3-1 lead at 11:45.
The Fighting Saints extended their lead to 4-1 2:27 into the final period as Riley Barber joined the scoring parade with assists going to Brooks Bertsch and Luke Curadi. That goal brought a goalie change for Green Bay as Wilcox relieved McKay. He shut out Dubuque the rest of the way stopping six shots. Green Bay then got a late goal with less than 30 seconds left in the game from Eck as Aaron Harstad picked up the lone assist.
The two teams square off tonight as Dubuque looks to clinch the Cup and the Gamblers try to send the series back to Green Bay for a fifth and deciding game Tuesday night. Tonight’s faceoff time is set for 7 PM.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com
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