Bucs Win Again on the Road, 3-1
This wins brings them within 2 points of the division leading Cedar Rapids Roughriders. The Buccaneers have played 3 less games then the Riders. Hansen, Matieroukine and Johnson getting tallies for the team tonight.
Date: 02/26/02: Des Moines Buccaneers @ Waterloo Black Hawks
Pre-game: This is the fifth of eight meetings between the Buccaneers and Black Hawks this season. Bucs are currently 1-1-0 for 2 points with 7 goals for and 6 goals against at home against the Black Hawks and 0-1-1 for 1 point with 3 goals for and 5 goals against on the road against the Black Hawks.
11/04/01: Des Moines 1 @ Waterloo 2 (OT)
11/30/01: Des Moines 2 @ Waterloo 3
01/24/02 : Waterloo 2 @ Des Moines 4
02/09/02 : Waterloo 4 @ Des Moines 3
02/26/02: Des Moines @ Waterloo
03/02/02: Des Moines @ Waterloo
03/08/02: Waterloo @ Des Moines
03/15/02: Waterloo @ Des Moines
Currently the Buccaneers are 4 points behind the Cedar Rapids Roughriders in the standings, but the Bucs have played four less games then the Roughriders. The Bucs can gain ground on the Roughriders tonight. But first we have to get past the Black Hawks. They have been giving us troubles this season. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Starting goalies: Gartman (DM), Jakatis (WA)
1st Period: Early on, there is no constant pressure for the Bucs, but the Black Hawks are unable to keep pressure on as well. 12:43 mark Josh Chambers gets called for tripping Ross Carlson. The Black Hawks are able to set up, but not able to convert. Right has the penalty ends Sean Kotary steals a pass comes in on Jakatis, but Jakatis is able to keep the puck out of the net. About midway through the period the Bucs get their first power play opportunity, but seem to spend most of the time in their own zone and Waterloo is able to keep the puck deep in the Bucs defensive zone. About two-minutes after the penalty ends, the Bucs go back on the power play as Aaron Johnson gets whistled, 2-minutes for high-sticking at 5:48. Then, Chris Collins gets pulled down and the Bucs will work on a 5-on-3 power play at the 15:03 mark. Waterloos Jim Jensen is called 2-minutes for holding. Des Moines is applying the pressure, but Waterloo is able to keep the puck out of the net. Once again after a penalty ends, Kotary has a break away, but he fans on the shot. Bucs seem to start getting the puck into the Hawks zone near the last 2 minutes of the period, but no goal for their effort. The period ends like it started, 0-0.
2nd Period: Alex Matieroukine pays a visit to the sin bin early in the second period. 0:24 into the period Matieroukine gets called 2-minutes for holding away from the play. Hawks are able to apply some pressure, but the Bucs are able to kill off the penalty. Soon after killing off the penalty, Bucs work for about 30 seconds on a delayed penalty call on Nick Toneys. Hawks gain control of the puck and Toneys heads to the box for holding at 16:28 point. The Bucs gets shots going but are unable to convert as the Hawks once again kill off the penalty. At the 14:10 mark Keith Boyer gets a double minor and a game ejection for checking from behind. The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty. Soon after the Bucs start applying the pressure even more. Collins name is said quite a bit tonight. At the 14:11 mark the Bucs are rewarded for their hard work, Luke Irwin throws the puck at the net and Nate Hansen gets the puck in the net to give the Bucs the 1-0 lead. At the 16:05 mark there was a scrum and Michael Hutchins gets called 2-minutes for high-sticking. 0:15 seconds later, a Buc was coming in on a break and taken down and Hawks Aaron Johnson gets 2-minutes for holding to even things up. Another 0:15 seconds later Ross Carlson is called for checking from behind. This gives the Bucs a 4-on-3 power play. On the ensuing power play sequence, Brad Oistad (Buccaneers play-by-play announcer) needs an oxygen tank has the Bucs pepper Jakatis and Brad is running out of breath keeping up with the action. Jakatis stands on his head and makes about 6-7 saves in a span of about 0:15 seconds to keep the game at 1-0. The crowd cheers for the display by Jakatis. Are we sure Jakatis isnt Josh Siembida in disguise? All the penalties end with the score still Bucs 1, Hawks 0. The period ends 1-0 in favor of Des Moines.
3rd Period: The period starts off back-and-forth, both teams getting shots on goal, but no goal for their effort. At 2:04 mark, the Bucs go on their 7th power play opportunity tonight. So far they are unable to convert due largely to the play of Jakatis. Jake Schwan gets called for tripping. 7th time is a charm as Matieroukine is all alone in front of the net with assists to Weston Tardy and Collins at the 3:21 point to give the Bucs 2-0 lead. Soon after, Nate Hansen is sent 2-minutes for charging at the 3:31 mark. The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty. At the 7:40 mark, Waterloo is able to get the goose egg off the board with a shot from Greg Poupard to cut the lead to 2-1. At 11:23 Hutchins and Schwan tie up and both get tossed for offsetting minors. At the 11:36 point, Bucs get a break has the Hawks shove the net off and the Hawks get called for delay of game. Hard work and constant pressure pays off; Erik Johnson gets the power play goal at 12:37 point to give the Bucs a 3-1 lead. About two minutes to go, Waterloo gets whistled for intentional off-side which prevents pulling their goalie for the extra attacker and takes the face-off to the Hawks defensive zone. Then at the 1:12 mark, Nate Hansen is whistled 2-minutes for slashing. The Hawks call the time-out and have the power play and pull their goalie to make it a 6-on-4 power play. The Bucs can flip the puck at the empty net with no icing being called on them. Game ends with another road win for the Bucs, 3-1.
Written by Kevin Kasel
Box Score
Bucs win the shootout of scoring at The Edge Arena in overtime 7-6.
Collins scores 0:58 into OT to give the Bucs the road victory.
Date: 02/23/02: Des Moines Buccaneers @ Chicago Steel
Pre-game: Tonight we face Chicago for the fifth time this season. This will be our last visit in the regular season to The Edge Arena in Bensenville, IL. Tonight, I will make my first visit to this arena. The Buccaneer Booster Club has a bus going and I am on it. I am on it writing this as we speak. We are currently about 50 west of Chicago on I-88. There will be at least 45 Buc fans cheering the lads on tonight in Chicago.
We are currently 1-3-0 for 2 points vs. Chicago this season so far. Our lone victory was Jason Browns and the teams 8-0 shutout in Des Moines back on October 12, 2001. The next night (October 13, 2001) we lost 6-4. We traveled again to Chicago on December 7, 2001 and Chicago won 5-2. Then last Sunday, Chicago came into The Madhouse on Hickman and left with a 6-3 win. Chicago Steel are currently in 8th place in the USHL standings. If the play-offs were to start today, Chicago would face red-hot, Omaha Lancers. Omaha with their win last night have clinched a play-off berth. Des Moines would face Sioux City if the play-offs were to start today.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Starting goalies: Gartman (DM), Daigneau (CH)
1st Period: (Side note: I am basing this on what I have written on paper that I was using during the game. This may not be 100% accurate.) Chicago scores first on a short-handed goal by Mike Kautz at 11:17, 1-0 Chicago. At the 11:46 mark Danny Richmond and Keith Boyer drop the gloves, but turns more into a dance. Not many if any punches landed or thrown for that matter. Then about a minute later Des Moines is able to get the equalizer from Justin Nikle at the 12:48 mark with assists to Erik Johnson and Michael Hutchins. At the 13:52 point Sean Kotary gets whistled 2-minutes for high-sticking. Chicago is able to take advantage of the opportunity to reclaim the lead 2-1 at 14:17. The power play goal comes from Ben Tharp with assist to Tom Gilbert. At 18:05 Kotary makes a repeat visit to the penalty box, this time for holding. Chicago once again takes advantage of the opportunity and takes a 3-1 lead off the stick of Ales Parez with assists to Danny Richmond and Ben Tharp. The period ends wit the Steel leading 3-1.
2nd Period: Des Moines goes on the power play early in the period as Justin Barauskas goes for roughing. Kotary is to cut it to a 1-goal Steel lead on the power play at the 2:00 mark with an assist to Johnson. At 7:28 mark Josh Chambers gets calls for roughing. The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty. At 10:56 Matt Bader gets called for high-sticking. But the Bucs are not able to convert. Then at 17:03 Justin Nikle gets called for high-sticking. High-sticking seems to be the penalty of choice tonight for McBain (the referee). The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty, but shortly after the penalty ends, Chicago scores on a questionable goal. I believe a Chicago player hit the puck with a high-stick. Blake Stewart gets credited with the goal with an assist to Barauskas at the 19:09 point. Period ends with Chicago leading 4-2.
3rd Period: At 3:27 point Bader is whistled for crosschecking. The Bucs are able to convert and cut the lead to 4-3. Alex Matieroukine gets the goal with the assist to Evan Stoflet. At 6:30 Chicago regains the 2-goal lead with a goal from Tharp and assists to Parez and Stewart. At the 11:48 mark, the Bucs are able to cut the lead to 1. I am not sure who scored or the assists if any. The Bucs go back on the power play as Bader gets the hat trick of penalties, this time for charging. The Bucs are once again able to take advantage of the opportunity to make it 5-5. Kotary gets credited with the goal at 13:40. About 2-minutes later Kotary feeds Collins who comes in on a rush and puts the puck on net and Matieroukine buries the rebound at 15:24 to give the Bucs the 6-5 lead. About a minute left Chicago has a face-off deep in Des Moines end and calls the time-out and pulls the goalie for the extra attacker. The plan works, at the 19:38 mark Chicagos Stewart is able to flip the puck over Gartman with an assist to Gilbert to tie it up 6-6.
Overtime: About 0:50 seconds in, the Bucs get a break, the puck is coming in on Daigneau with Collins chasing. Daigneau comes out of the net to clear the puck away from Collins, but Collins is able knock down the clearing pass. Now with the goalie 15 from the net and the Collins in front of the net with puck on his stick gives the Bucs the 7-6 victory at the 0:58 mark.
Written by Kevin Kasel
Bucs Sneak By Rochester 4-2
Urbandale, IA (2.22.02): The Buccaneers followed up a December 28th 10-0 whipping of Rochester with a hard-fought 4-2 win. The Mustangs scored first when Cozine poked the puck loose in a pile up in front of the net halfway through the first period. Rochester had come to play and where giving the Bucs everything they could handle. The Bucs were not able to get on the board until the second period when Sean Kotary scored (assists to Nikle and Johnson). Five minutes later Chris Collins scored a powerplay goal to give the Bucs a 2-1 lead.
The Bucs stretched out the lead to 3-1 when Jeff Genovy scored a powerplay goal. The game seemed to be safely in the Bucs hands, but Rochester had not given up and made it 3-2 with 8 minutes left to play. Both teams worked hard and when Rochester pulled their goalie for an extra attacker the Bucs had their hands full. With 1 minute left Chris Collins bounced the puck off the boards into center ice. Alex Matieroukine picked up the loose puck and put it in the empty net to seal the 4-2 win.
Written by Steve Bendy
Box Score
Matieroukine, Stoflet score in Losing Effort
Urbandale, IA (2.17.02): Alex Matieroukine scored 2 goals and Evan Stoflet scored his first goal of the season in a 6-3 Chicago win. The loss robbed the Bucs of two crucial points in the race for the Eastern division champion race. The Bucs are still in the race, but will need help from another team if they are to catch the RoughRiders.
The Bucs had a tough first period, and when the buzzer sounded the end of the period, the Bucs found themselves behind by 2 goals. The Chicago Steel had outworked the Bucs in every category. Their was a glimmer of hope when Alex Matieroukline scored a powerplay goal 3 minutes into the second period to pull the Bucs within a goal, but 4 unaswered goals put the game out of reach.
Written by Steve Bendy
Box Score
Bucs score first and never trail to win in overtime 3-2 on the road.
This cuts the Roughriders lead in the East standings to six points.
Bucs have played four less games then the Roughriders.
Date: 02/16/02: Des Moines Buccaneers @ Cedar Rapids Roughriders
Pre-game: Tonight will be the final regular season meeting between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Currently Cedar Rapids has a 27 wins, 14 losses, 6 overtime points for 60 points with 157 goals for and 125 goals against. Des Moines is currently 24 wins, 14 losses, 5 overtime points for 53 points with 170 goals for and 135 goals against. Des Moines can gain ground tonight. There are several different scenarios that could end up happening after tonights game between the Bucs and Roughriders:
Scenario #1 (Buccaneers win regulation) Cedar Rapids lead only 5 points with the Bucs have four games in hand.
Scenario #2 (Roughriders win regulation) Cedar Rapids lead increased to 9 points with the Bucs have four games in hand.
Scenario #3 (Buccaneers win in OT or SO) Cedar Rapids lead only 6 points with the Bucs have four games in hand.
Scenario #4 (Roughriders win in OT or SO) Cedar Rapids lead is 8 points with the Bucs have four games in hand.
The previous five meetings Cedar Rapids has a 4-0-1 record for 9 points against Des Moines, while Des Moines has 1-2-2 for 4 points against Cedar Rapids.
September 29, 2001 Cedar Rapids 3 @ Des Moines 1
November 10, 2001 Cedar Rapids 2 @ Des Moines 3 (overtime)
December 15, 2001 Cedar Rapids 3 @ Des Moines 2 (shootout)
January 4, 2002 Des Moines 3 @ Cedar Rapids 6
February 1, 2002 Des Moines 3 @ Cedar Rapids 4 (shootout)
February 16, 2002 Des Moines @ Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids has currently lost their last three games. Last night they were shutout in Green Bay 3-0. Last night Des Moines was able to defeat Topeka 3-2 to gain more ground on the Roughriders.
Starting goalies: Gartman (DM), Goepfert (CR)
1st Period: One of Coach Fergusons concerns with this current team is the selfish penalties we have been taking. About 4-1/2 minutes into the period, Michael Hutchins gets called for what could be called a selfish penalty, 2-minutes for roughing. The Bucs were able to kill off the penalty. Not much after we were able to kill off the penalty, the Roughriders Shawn Vinz gets whistled for interference at the 7-minute mark to put the Bucs on the power play. The Roughriders were able to kill off the penalty as well. Both teams play a tough defense and are limiting the shots on goals. 14:51 mark, Jeff Genovy is able to give the Bucs the 1-0 lead with assists to Alex Matieroukine and Chris Collins. This is the Bucs fifth shot on goal, but good enough to gives the Bucs the rare early lead and first goal on the road. Later, Keith Boyer has an opportunity at the doorstep, but Cedar Rapids Bobby Goepfert is able to make the save to keep it a 1-0 game. The period ends with the Bucs leading 1-0. Saves for the period: Cedar Rapids 10 saves, Des Moines 8 saves.
2nd Period: Bucs start off the second period with two icing calls to keep the face-offs in the Bucs defensive zone. Casey Bickley and Keith Boyer drop the gloves; Boyer utilizes his size advantage over Bickley. This seems to fire the Bucs up, as they keep the pressure on Goepfert and the Roughriders. At 8:33 Roughriders Todd Bentley was called for elbowing and the Bucs Luke Irwin was called for tripping to equal things up. USHLs league leading penalty minutes leader Nate Meyers makes his first visit to the penalty box, two minutes for checking from behind at the 10:19 mark. Collins makes the Roughriders pay to give the Bucs a 2-0 on the power play with an assist to Brett Skinner. At 12:01 Andrew Leach gets called 2-minutes for interference to give the Roughriders their second power play opportunity of the night. The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty. At 14:14 Bickley cuts the lead in half with a shot from the point, 2-1 Bucs still lead. Bucs get chances late in the period, but are not able to bury the puck. The period ends 2-1 Bucs favor.
3rd Period: The period starts off with a yardstick. The officials check the position of the net on the ice. At 4:13 Meyers makes a return visit to the penalty box, but Bucs Irwin is put in the box as well. Both are called for roughing. About a minute later Jimmy Spiewak and Collins are put in the penalty box for some pushing and shoving. At 6:05 point, Keith Boyer gives the Roughriders their 3rd power play opportunity. Six seconds later, the Roughriders capitalize and tie the game up 2-2. Goal credited to Ted OLeary with assists to Kevin Brooks and Shawn Vinz. Soon after Brooks and Michael Hutchins are both throw in the penalty box, there have been several coincidental minors this period. The game continues without a penalty until Meyers gets the penalty hat trick at 12:02 for elbowing. This is the Bucs 3rd power play opportunity. The Bucs cant seem to get their power play set-up to do anything. Bucs go back on the power play again as OLeary goes in the box for checking from behind. Bucs were able to get set up, but the Roughriders were able clear the puck and kill off the penalty. Then with 47 seconds left in the period, Irwin gets called for crosschecking. The period ends tied 2-2, but the Roughriders will be on a 4-on-3 power play for the next 1:13 in overtime. Now we will have either scenario #3 or 4.
Overtime: Bucs started off the overtime period, as Genovy has a short-handed opportunity at the opening face-off but Goepfert is able to stop the shot. The Roughriders have chances, but Chris Gartman is able to make the saves. The Bucs kill off the penalty, to bring play back to 4 a side. It seems like I have been hearing Gartmans name more then I would like to hear tonight, especially in overtime. Gartman has answered the calls tonight and especially in overtime. At 3:21 there is a pile up behind the Bucs net. Hutchins and Leach get put in the box, for the Roughriders Brooks and Matt Olinger to keep things 4 a side. Collins brings the puck down the ice, fights his way through a check and puts the puck past Goepfert and gives the Bucs the 3-2 overtime road win. The Roughriders lead in the standings is only 6 points now.
Written by Kevin Kasel
Box Score
Bucs Get Come-from-behind Victory
Urbandale, IA (2.15.02): The Topeka Scarecrows built a 2-0 lead early in the second period, then held the Buccaneers scoreless until the tail end of the second period, before falling to the Bucs 3-2. The Scarecrows scored a minute and a half into the game when the puck squirted loose from a pile in front of the net and crossed the red line. Topeka then played tough and scored again to make it 2-0. The second goal came less than a minute into the second period.
It began to look like the Bucs were not going to score until Brett Skinner scored a powerplay goal with 41 seconds remaining in the second period. Brett picked up a Hutchins rebound and shot it into the open net to make it a one goal game. The late goal shifted the momentum to the Bucs, and it did not take long for the Bucs to tie the game up.
Four minutes into the third period Clarkson College recruit Jeff Genovy tied the game on an unassisted goal. The Scarecrows were playing a great game and the Bucs had to work very hard for the next, and winning goal. It came five minutes later when Alex Matieroukine scored a powerplay goal, assisted by Jeff Genovy and Chris Collins.
Written by Steve Bendy
Box Score
Waterloo Stops Bucs, 4-3
Urbandale, IA (2.9.02): Sitting right on the glass, we were obviously in a good position to see the break-away by Chris Collins and the apparent goal that was waived off. Opinion was divided in our section on whether the puck crossed the line, but almost everyone agreed it hit the post and bounced across the goal line and out of the net. It happened so fast it was impossible to tell.
The photo seems to show a goal. However, even if it was a goal, the story last night was about something much bigger, something that many might not have caught, because it happened so fast. It was about what the caoch and the Buccaneers are really all about.
When the buzzer sounded and the game was over, I noticed that coach Bob Ferguson left the bench faster than normal and walked toward the Waterloo players that were leaving the ice. It looked like the linesman was going to stop the coach, but then let him walk over. The coach said a few words to ex-Buccaneer Ross Carlson and than gave him a swat on the rear. Ross smiled. It took a few seconds for me to understand, and then it sunk-in: the coach really cares about these kids, and he wants the best for them.
It was hard for Coach Ferguson to trade Andy Nelson and Ross Carlson. He knew they were popular with the fans and that he would catch some grief for it - he told me that. It was not done lightly - he used his years of experience as a coach, and did what he thought was best for all involved. Last night, we saw that Andy Nelson scored two goals and Ross Carlson got the game winner with less than 2 minutes left. They are both playing like they champions. This time, it worked out for the best. It is not a science, it does not always happen this way, but fans: Coach Ferguson loves this game and is in it to develop these kids into men and hockey players. He is real and he is fulfilling the dream of the non-profit Des Moines Buccaneers.
Look, I too want "my team" to win and get to thinking that winning is the only thing that matters. Sometimes I want to grumble about the price of a hot dog and soda - even though I know it is cheaper than at any other venue of this type. The difference is that everything we do is to support ice sports in Des Moines (not buy a new Cadillac for some rich owner).
Last night before the game I was talking to a scout from the New Jersey Devils. He was praising Scott Clemmensen (Scott is in the New Jersey system and was just called back-up for the Devils) and Des Moines for providing an opportunity like this in the middle of Iowa.
I am proud to be a part of the Buccaneers. Win or lose, we have something special! Lets Go Bucs!
Written by Steve Bendy
Box Score
Bucs Defeat Division Leader, 3-2
Urbandale, IA (2.8.02): The Des Moines Buccaneers defeated the Western division leader Sioux City, 3-2 before a jubilant Metro Ice Sports Arena. The win raised the Bucs home record to 17 wins, 1 loss, 1 overtime loss, and 1 shoot-out loss. The Bucs overall record is 23-13-5. More importantly, it gave the Bucs 2 more points in the race to catch Cedar Rapids, the Eastern Division leader. The Division winners will get the number 1 and 2 seeds in the playoffs. The rest of the seeds will be based on total points regardless of the division. It could be the difference between being seeded 2 or 6. With the Bucs dismal road record, this is important.
Sioux City came out skating hard, to the delight of the Sioux City faithful that made the trip. They had to wait less than 3 minutes to cheer. The goal came on a 2 on 1 break when a pass was lifted up and over a sliding Buc defenseman that had gone down on the ice to prevent the pass.
The Bucs were back on their heels most of the period, and had it not been for the excellent play of the Buccaneer defense and goalie Chris Gartman, the game might have been lost. As coach Ferguson said after the game, "momentum is huge in hockey, especially when a goal is scored late in the period", and the Bucs got a huge break with 20 seconds left in period 1. Team captain Andrew Leach knocked loose the puck after Sioux City had put tremendous pressure on Gartman. He streaked down the ice and at the last second slid the puck across to Brett Skinner who buried it for a short-handed goal. The goal tied the game at 1-1, and gave the crowd and team a big lift.
The Bucs got on the board again 4 minutes into the second period when Justin Nikle displayed great personal effort and made the score 2-1 in favor of the Bucs. Sioux City never let up and scored with 5 minutes left in the period to tie the game. The Bucs fought back as both teams played wide-open, playoff style hockey. The Bucs scored again with 15 seconds remaining in the second period to make it 3-2. Jeff Genovy scored the powerplay goal with assists going to Chris Collins and Alex Matieroukine.
Sioux City tried to tie it up, but the Buc defense was really starting to click. When Sioux City did get a scoring chance, Chris Gartman gobbled up the puck. For the Bucs, it was a great win, and you could hear people in the crowd talking about how much better the Bucs have been doing since Christmas. It is crunch time, and the Bucs are answereing the call.
Written by Steve Bendy
Box Score
Gartman Gets 3-0 Shut-out in Team Effort
Urbandale, IA (2.2.02): Chris Gartman picked up his second shut-out of the year as the Buccaneers improved their record to 10-3-2 since Christmas. The Buccaneers are in second place in the East division, and are close on the heels of first place Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. The Bucs are aiming for first place in the East division so they can get the number 1 or 2 seed for the playoffs. The East and West division winners get the number 1 and 2 seeds, while the remaining teams are thrown into one pool for the balance of the playoff positions.
The win was important because it showed what the Bucs are capable of when they get outstanding goaltending, something the Bucs will need if they hope to compete with the top teams in the USHL. It was also important becasue it was such a solid team effort.
The Bucs got their first goal 5 minutes into the second period when Alex Matieroukine scored his 27th goal of the season. Assist went to Kris Bouchard and Evan Stoflet. Alex leads the Buccaneers in scoring and is 3rd in the USHL. The Bucs scored again again with 3 minutes left inthe second perid when team captain Andrew Leach scored. Erik Johnson assisted when he broke the puck out of the zone after Green bay had put sustained pressure on the Bucs for most of the period. Chris Gartman stopped 17 shots in the second period.
The Bucs rebounded in the third period as the defense stiffened, holding Green Bay to 5 shots on goal, the same amount they allowed in the first period. The Bucs final goal came on a 5 on 3 power play. Chris Collins scored with assists to Jeff Genovy and Brett Skinner. All three players are in the top 20 of the USHL scoring list. As the clock wound down, the gamblers did not give up, but they did not seem to put extra effort into thwarting the shut-out. Green Bay did not even pull their goalie for the extra attacker - strange, since it was their third shut-out in a row.
Matieroukine (Bouchard, Stoflet), Leach (Johnson), and Collins (PP) (Genovy, Skinner) scored for the Bucs. Gartman was in goal and made 27 saves.
Written by Steve Bendy
Bucs score late in the 3rd to force overtime,
but fall in a shootout 4-3 to Cedar Rapids.
Date: 2/1/02
Des Moines Buccaneers @ Cedar Rapids Roughriders
Pre-game: For the fifth time, we meet Cedar Rapids in Cedar Rapids. Currently the Bucs are 1-2-1 against the Roughriders. The Roughriders boast one of the best goaltenders in the USHL in Bobby Goepfert. Currently Goepfert has a 1.83 GAA, 20-6-3 record and save percentage of 94.4%. Nate Meyers is the Roughriders leading point-getter (22 G, 16 A for 38 points). Kevin Brooks leads the Roughriders in assists with 17 helpers.
Cedar Rapids record is currently 24-11-5 good for 53 points. Des Moines record is currently 21-13-4 for 46 points. Roughriders have a seven-point lead, but Des Moines have played two less games. We can make up ground tonight with a win.
From the interview with Brad Oistad, Coach Ferguson made it sound we will most likely be without the serves of Marty Guerin who injured his knee last week in Topeka. With the roster freeze date only nine days away, I hope we get some more players to help fill in when and where needed.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
Starting goalies:
Gartman (DM)
Goepfert (CR)
1st Period: Early on, not many shots on goal. Nikle gets the first scoring chance around two-minute into the period but Goepfert makes the save. 2:41 in, Matt Olinger scores to give the Roughriders the early lead, 1-0 with an assist to Todd Bentley. Kris Bouchard gets whistled for high-sticking to give the Roughriders the first power play opportunity. Roughriders get several shots, which challenges Gartman, which he is able to respond with saves. Bucs kill off the penalty, and soon after the Roughriders Nate Meyers gets called for roughing. The majority of the power play is in Cedar Rapids zone. Cedar Rapids is able to kill off the penalty. Soon after, Weston Tardy gets slapped with a double minor. On the 2nd part of the double minor, Cedar Rapids keeps cycling the puck and Cedar Rapids is able to capitalize and take the 2-0 lead. At 14:39 mark Josh Chambers gets called 2-minutes for hooking. The Bucs are able to kill off this penalty. So far, the Bucs have killed off three of the four penalties. Cedar Rapids Alexander Valentin gets called for holding at 18:54. The Roughriders appeared to have the lead 2-0 going into intermission when they were able to clear the zone with about 10 seconds left, but Brett Skinner brings the puck back in and throws it in front and Jeff Genovy (I didnt catch who they credited the goal to for Des Moines) gets the puck past Bobby Goepfert to cut the lead in half 2-1 with 0:04.6 seconds left in the period. That is how the period ends, 2-1 Cedar Rapids.
2nd Period: Buccaneers are able to dodge several bullets early. Cedar Rapids gets several scoring opportunities, but Gartman is able to make the saves. Then on a rush, Cedar Rapids have a goal waved off, the net came off the mourns. Each team is then able to apply the pressure, but each goalie is up to the challenge. Action keeps up, with not many face-offs for the first 10 minutes. Both teams are having their chances, but no goals. About midway through Cedar Rapids Meyers gets called for slashing after the scrum in front of the net. Roughriders are able to kill it off. Right as Meyers comes out of the box, the Roughriders try a long breakout pass, but they get whistled for 2-line pass. Then at the 14:18 mark Meyers gets the hat trick for penalties, 2-minutes for cross checking to give the Bucs their 4th power play opportunity. The Bucs get some shots on goal, but the Roughriders are able to kill it off. The period continues like it started, opportunities for each team, but no goals for their effort. The period ends how it started 2-1 Cedar Rapids.
3rd Period: The Bucs need to win this game in regulation. Each team comes out firing. Each team is having troubles with their passes. Several icing calls so far. At 3:47, Kyle Larman gets called for roughing to give the Buccaneers their 5th power play opportunity. Cedar Rapids is able to clear the puck down the ice a couple of times to kill off the penalty. At 6-minute mark Keith Boyer is able to hit the upper right corner to tie the score 2-2 with an assist to Sean Kotary. This period continues with scoring chances, but no goals. Then 13:32 PJ Atherton gets called for elbowing to give the Bucs their 6th chances with the extra man. Then at 14:35 Genovy evens things up with an interference call. Cedar Rapids is able to capitalize on their shortened power play to take the lead 3-2 at 16:15. Bucs are cycling and keeping on the pressure, but Goepfert is able to stop the shots. At 1:20 Bucs call a time-out to figure out how to get one more past Goepfert. The Bucs pull Gartman for the extra attacker. This strategy works, as the Bucs score at 18:56 point to tie it 3-3. Scoring was Chris Collins unassisted. The game goes into overtime. No matter the outcome, Cedar Rapids as the season series with Des Moines. Cedar Rapids at a minimum will have 8 points against us, while we will have at most (if we win tonight) 5 points against Cedar Rapids with only one more regular season meeting.
Overtime: We still can use the point to help cut down on the lead in the standings. Bucs are pressuring early, looking to finish this fast into the extra session. Bucs seem to be doing the majority of the cycling in overtime. Cedar Rapids Matt Olinger has a misconduct thrown on him. If this goes to shoot-out, he will not be able to participate. There is a face-off late in overtime, but Goepfert makes an amazing save to force a shootout.
Shootout:
Des Moines
1) Johnson No Goal
2) Matieroukine No Goal
3) Hutchins No Goal
4) Skinner No Goal
5) Collins No Goal
Cedar Rapids
1) OBrien Goal
2) Brooks No Goal
3) OLeary No Goal
4) Bentley No Goal
5) N/A
Written by Kevin Kasel
Box Score
Disclaimer
This is a game summary and commentary from a Buccaneer fan's point of view, and the viewpoints expressed in this column DO NOT necessarily reflect those of the Des Moines Buccaneer's organization.
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