Saints Earn Game Two Victory, Even Series
Saturday May 14, 2011
Dubuque Fighting Saints forward Vinny Saponari scored the first goal of the series for his team and fired seven shots on goal in Game Two. (photo by Jim
USHL CLARK CUP FINAL - GAME TWO
Dubuque Fighting Saints 2 @ Green Bay Gamblers 1
After a tight contest in Game One, it was much more of the same for the second game of the best-of-series. Chances were limited on both ends, but Dubuque found a way to get a victory and even the series at one game apiece.
Dubuque didn’t score on Friday night, but wasted little time in Game Two as Vinny Saponari got a shot past Green Bay goaltender Ryan McKay just over four minutes into the game to give the Saints their first goal of the series. Saponari’s initial shot was stopped, but gathered his own rebound and capitalized on a second chance.
In the second period, the Gamblers created some opportunities with some pressure in the Dubuque zone, but goaltender Matt Morris was up to the task and stopped all 19 Green Bay shots through two periods. After stopping a breakaway by Robert Francis in the first period, Morris made a huge save on a shot from William Kessel at point blank range in the second period to keep Green Bay off the scoreboard..
Midway through the third period, Shane Sooth scored a goal on a tough angle to give the Saints a 2-0 lead. His shot from the side of the net snuck over the shoulder of McKay and went top shelf. Green Bay would respond just nine seconds later when Alex Broadhurst scored his team-leading third goal of the series. The Gamblers made a charge late in the game and pulled McKay in favor of the extra attacker, but Dubuque didn’t budge and skated away with the victory.
Morris made 23 saves to earn the victory for the Saints while Saponari had a game high seven shots on goal. The series now shifts to Dubuque for Game Three and Four on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21.
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