For Immediate Release September 30, 2002
Contact: Andrea Gengler 515-278-9757

Looking Forward: Bucs On Home Ice Again This Weekend

The Des Moines Buccaneers (1-0) will be on familiar ground again this weekend when they host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on Saturday, October 5th at 7:35 p.m. The RoughRiders, led by Head Coach Mark Carlson, won their first game of the season this past weekend when they beat the River City Lancers 4-1. Des Moines faced-off against Cedar Rapids on two unsuccessful occasions in the pre-season this year, losing 6-1 during the Hy-Vee Buc Bowl (September 12) and 2-1 during the Super 6 Tournament (September 19). All Buccaneer home games are broadcast live on AM 1700 KBGG.

Game time Saturday is 7:35 p.m.; doors open to the public at 6:45 p.m. Every fan at the game will receive a free 2002-03 Des Moines Buccaneers magnet schedule, courtesy of KGGO and Waste Management. Ticket prices are as follows: $11 for arena level reserved seating, and $13 for ice level reserved seating. Group pricing is available. Call the Metro Ice Sports Arena at 278-9757 for more information.

Review: Bucs Top Waterloo In Home Opener

The Buccaneers topped the Waterloo Black Hawks 5-2 in their home opener at the Metro Ice Sports Arena this past Saturday, September 28th. The game saw outstanding efforts from Buccaneer goaltender A.J. Bucchino, who stopped 56 of 58 Waterloo shots on goal, and forward Eric Helstedt, who notched 2 goals in the win with assists from defenseman Evan Stoflet. The Bucs went 1-9 on the power play in Saturday’s game; Waterloo was 0 for 7. Last season, the Bucs went 3-5 against the Black Hawks.

Buc Notes

Bucs, USHL Begin Electronic On-Line Scorekeeping System

The USHL has changed the way league statistics will be tracked this season. A deal with Pointstreak.com provides for electronic scorekeeping, and live, instant game statistic updates available to the public at www.pointstreak.com anytime, 24 hours-a-day.

Former Buccaneers Smrek and Durak Ink Deals With Nashville

Two former Buccaneers have signed deals with the Nashville Predators (NHL) organization. Peter Smrek (Bucs ’98-’99) was acquired by Nashville from the New York Rangers in March, and finished the season playing for the Predators AHL affiliate before signing a contract with Nashville this fall. Smrek was originally the 2nd pick for the St. Louis Blues in the 1999 entry draft. Miroslav Durak (Bucs ’99-’00), Nashville’s 14th pick in the 1999 entry draft, has been signed by the Predators’ American Hockey League affiliate, Milwaukee. He spent the last 2 seasons playing for Acadia-Bathurst of the QMJHL, where he scored 65 points in 94 games.

Party Suite Now Available To Fans For Single Game Rental

The Des Moines Buccaneers now have a party suite available for fans to rent on a per-game basis. The party suite, which comes with tickets for 10 guests and the option to purchase up to 5 additional seats, is a great location for entertaining friends, family, employees or clients. For more information, contact Jody Swier, Buccaneer Ticket Manager, at 278-9757.

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