Des Moines, IA (9.9.01): Coach Bob Ferguson and the Buccanners opened the 2001-02 season with a pair of wins over long-time rival Sioux City. Coach Ferguson coached in Sioux City before moving to the Buccaners in 1990.
In Sioux City on Friday, September 8, Chris Gartman got a 6-0 shut-out. Chris is in his first year with the Bucs and is from Baldwin, New York. Chris played for Cornell University last year. The offense was lead by Ryan Dingle who scored 2 goals. Ryan is also a newcomer to the Bucs. Ryan played for Vail AAA last year and is from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Coach Ferguson was pleased with the victory, even though technically it is not what he would like to have seen... he also added that it was to be expected on their first game of the year.
In Des Moines on Saturday September 9, the Bucs held off a determined Sioux City to win 3-2. In the penalty filled game, Sioux City took a 1-0 first period lead only to see the Bucs score 3 unanswered goals in the second period. Ryan Dingle again scored 2 goals while veteran Luke Flaig added another tally. Two of the three Buc goals were on the powerplay. Chris Gartman was in goal again and had to stop a flurry of shots in the last minute of play as Sioux City pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Also see the preseason photo set in the photo section.
Written by Steve Bendy
Bucs Open Buc Bowl With 3-1 Victory
Des Moines, IA (9.13.01): The Buccaneers opened their play in the Hy Vee Buc Bowl with a 3-1 victory over the USHL expansion team, the Tulsa Crude. The crowd at the arena was small and subdued as news reports continue to tell of the trajedy of the terrorist attacks just several days ago. The USHL wrestled with the remainder of the Buc Bowl schedule, and decided to postpone Friday's games and play them on Sunday, eliminating the championship game that was to be played on Sunday. Complete information and scores can be found on the Hy Vee Buc Bowl page.
Personally, I do not want to say that things should go on as usual - they can't, and should not. As President Bush said, we are at war. The Buc Bowl will have a different tone this year. We all know and understand that.
The Bucs opened the scoring 5 minutes into the first period when Weston Tardy wound up and let go a blast from just inside the blue-line. The goal came on a powerplay, when Weston took a pass and saw that the Tulsa Crude goalie was screened. Veteran Buccaneer Mark Langdon made it 2-0 when he blew past a defender and came in all alone on the goalie. At the last minute, he deked and slipped the puck in the net.
Chris Gartman lost his shutout bid midway through the second period when a shot deflected off of a Buc defender and went in the net. Chris played very well, facing 20 shots - many of them very tough - and several break-aways. The Bucs final goal came 11:48 into the third period when Andrew Leach scored on a blast from the blue-line.
Written by Steve Bendy
Bucs Blank Omaha, 3-0
Des Moines, IA (9.15.01): Chris Gartman stopped all 23 shots to notch his second shutout of the pre-season as the Bucs extended their record to 4-0 with a 3-0 victory over Omaha. Chris came up with some monster saves, but credit must also go to the Buc defensive corps, who would not allow Omaha quality and second shots. Already it is obvious that coach Ferguson, Tim Ferguson and Craig Hagkull are doing a magnificient job of crafting a group of guys that are playing as a team.
Metro Ice Sports Arena was at full capacity as Buc fans, a large group of Lancer fans, scouts, parents, and other USHL teams packed every available seat. As the Lancers took the ice, the cheering Lancer fans just inspired the Buc fans to cheer even louder. As the game went on, Lancer fans found little to cheer about.
The Lancers took their first penalty 3:30 into the first period, and the Bucs picked up their first whistle a minute later - it was to be a night full of penalties for both teams. The rich rivalry between these two teams was very evident.
The Lancers were putting tremendous pressure on Chris Gartman and the Buc defense six minutes into the period. The defense tied up the puck, blocked shots, and Gartman made the big save when the puck did get through. The Buc defense - Luke Irwin, Michael Hutchins, Evan Salmela, Weston Tardy, Evan Stoflet, Andy Jurek, Matt Boldt, and Brett Skinner where all contributing to the effort. When the Bucs did finally break it out, Omaha took a penalty setting up the powerplay goal. Ross Carlson scored the first goal at 6:58, tipping in a shot from the blue-line by Brett Skinner. Sean Kotary also had an assist on the goal. The Lancers came roaring back, but Gartman was up to the task. The first period ended with the Bucs being outshot, 5-11.
The penalties continued, and the Bucs had to kill off a 2 on 1 5 minutes into the period. Halfway through the period a Buc powerplay goal was waived off, but the Bucs were not to be denied. With 5:30 remaining in the second period, Michael Hutchins blasted one from the blue-line beating Vicari, the Omaha goalie to make it 2-0. The powerplay goal was assisted by Ross Carlson and Sean Kotary. The second period ended with the Bucs killing off an Omaha 5 on 3 advantage for over a minute and a half. The Buc defense had only allowed Omaha 7 shots, while the Bucs had taken 11. The crowd cheered as the Bucs left the ice.
The third period began and the Bucs had to kill off 30 seconds more of an Omaha 2-man advantage. They did, but went down a man again seconds later, and added to the problems with another penalty and an Omaha 2-man advantage. The Bucs were working as a team and were able to kill off all of the penalties. With 5:27 left in the game Omaha was taking chances to get on the board. The Buc caught the Lancers and had a 3 on 2 break. Smooth skating Brett Skinner passed to Jeff Genovy, who passed at the last second to Alex Matieroukine who tipped it into the net. The goalie did not have a chance. The Bucs were up 3-0. The Lancers could not get their offense going as they continued to take penalties until the last seconds of the game. The period ended with 5 saves for Gartman and 11 for Vicari. The Bucs had played a great game as a team and were rewarded with a shutout.
Written by Steve Bendy
Bucs Claim Buc Bowl; Beat Lincoln 8-3
Des Moines, IA (9.16.01): Buc fans, it is no secret that I am not a skilled sports writer; but like so many who are involved with the non-profit Buccaneers, I volunteer to make the organization better for the fans - so that parents of the players can see what their sons are up to. So, forgive me if I don't know how to put into words exactly what I sense about this coaching staff and team. Maybe if I quote some of the things I am hearing it might help: "these guys are really good", "I've heard the coach really takes his hockey seriously. He has a lot of rules, but he really teaches", "I better get my season tickets before it is too late". I could go on, but I think you get the drift. Tonight, we saw just how good the Bucs were - and they are getting better with each game.
It was a gloomy, rainy, Sunday night and the crowd was subdued a bit. Normally, you would have many Lincoln fans in attendance - tonight there were not. Still, the fans were ready to see how the Bucs would play tonight. The game began and the Bucs looked solid on defense as usual. After a couple of minutes the Bucs seemed to let down a bit and Lincoln quiclkly took advantage of it. With 7 minutes to go in the first period Lincoln was leading 2-0. As in life, adversity illuminates what you are made of. The red light did shine with 54 seconds remaining in the period as Sean Kotary scored on a brilliant move at the front of the net. Erik Johnson and Mark Langdon assisted. The period ended with 9 saves for Lincoln and 6 for Des Moines.
At the beginning of the second period, the Bucs were playing exceptional hockey. Wherever the puck was, there was also a Buc. The entire Buc squad is serious about defense. With 8:52 left in the peiod, Ryan Dingle grabbed the puck right in front of the net and played with the puck until the goalie made his move. Ryan made him pay and the score was tied at 2 each. Brett Skinner and Jeff Genovy assisted.
The Bucs were not done and were to score 5 unanswered goals by the end of the second period. Two minutes later Chris Collins scored a powerplay goal to make it 3-2 (assists to Nelson and Langdon). You know I really like the way the Bucs execute the powerplay. They move it around and more often that not blast it from the blue-line. It is exciting to watch. Ryan Dingle scored 2 minutes later on a 2 on 1 break with Evan Stoflet. Before Maxwell could finish announcing the goal (10 seconds to be exact), the Bucs had scored again to make it 5-2. Mark Langdon scored with an assist to Erik Johnson. Lincoln's John Snowden scored his second goal of the night to end the period and Lincoln's scoring for the night. The Bucs had outshot Lincoln 16-5 in the period.
The Bucs continued to dominate with a tight defense and scored 3 more goals in the process to win, 8-3. In the third period Lincoln began to take some chances to get on the board. In the process the Bucs were able to get some 2 on 1 breaks. You could see that the Bucs have the ability and skill to be flashy, but are coached to play as a team. And that is how individuals become more than they ever could be alone. Yes, the coach is building a team. It is going to be an exciting year!
Kotary (Johnson, Langdon), Dingle (Skinner, Genovy), Collins (PP) (Nelson, Langdon), Dingle (Stoflet), Langdon (Johnson), Genovy (PP) (Matieroukine, Nelson), Skinner (PP) (Matieroukine, Genovy), and Kotary (Irwin, Langdon) scored for the Bucs. Gartman was in goal and made 23 saves.
Written by Steve Bendy
Buc Bowl Schedule and Scores
