Urbandale. IA (11.1.02): The River City Lancers shut down the Buccaneer forechecking with solid defensive play and collected a 4-1 victory Friday night in Des Moines. The Buccaneers began the first period showing a lot of hustle by killing off a 5 minute power play by the Lancers when Tomas Jasko was called for high-sticking. Tomas was also given a game ejection, taking away some of the Buc's offensive punch for the rest of the game.
The Lancers got on the board first when Janne Jokila broke into the open and scored goal number 8 for the Lancers. Brian Papcun did not have much of a chance against a sharp-shooter like that. The first period ended with the Buccaneers out-shooting the Lancers 10-8, but behind 1-0 on the scoreboard. The Buccaneers had played a solid game so far, and things were far from decided on the ice.
The Lancers stepped it up in the second period and made it 2-0 midway through the period. The Bucs answered 5 minutes later when Ryan Dingle and Travis Anderson got the puck to Jamie Hoffman who was streaking down the middle of the ice covered by two defenders. He went between them both and beat Vicari to make it 2-1. The game would be decided in the third period.
Unfortunately for the Bucs, the Lancers scored in the first two minutes of the third period. According to Coach Ferguson, the goal marked the turning point of the game. The Bucs were unable to get much going and the Lancers added another goal to take the 4-1 victory. Also see the 32 photos in the photo section. Photography and story by Steve Bendy.
Cedar Rapids Gets Shoot Out Victory
Cedar Rapids, IA (11.02.02):
Period 1: Early on the play stays in the Buccaneers' d-zone with A.J. Bucchino making several saves. Bucs get called for the first penalty at 3:33 mark, that the Bucs are able to kill off. An errant pass in the d-zone cost the Bucs, as Kevin Brooks scores at 7:16 to take the 1-0 lead for the Roughriders. At the 13:26 mark, Troy Brummett goes off 2 minutes for slashing and the Bucs have several chances, but Joe Fallon makes several key saves on the Roughriders' penalty kill. The period ends 1-0, Roughriders.
Period 2: The second starts with the Roughriders applying the pressure early and often, but Bucchino is able to make the stops. Then the Bucs seem to be turning on the offensive pressure this period around the 5-minute mark. They have several chances, but Fallon is up to the challenge to keep it a 1-0 Roughriders lead. Bucs get another power play with Matt Olinger going off for interference at 9:06. At 9:54 Roughriders score a short-handed goal (the second night in a row and the 3rd the Bucs have given up short-handed goal this season) to make it 2-0 Roughriders. Bucs go another a 5-on-3 power play with Derek Peltier heading off 2-minutes for cross-checking at 10:46. Denny Reagan (assist to Mike Neilon) is able to cash in the 5-on-3 power play with 6 seconds left on it to make it 2-1 Roughriders. Late in the second period, Marty Guerin has a break and is hauled down from behind and the Bucs get another power play at 18:46 mark. The "Omaha-line" (Marty Guerin-Mike Neilon-Bryce Anderson, yes, Bryce did not play for Omaha, but the other two did) tie the score with 2.8 left on the clock on the power play. Neilon is credited with the goal and assists to Guerin and Reagan. The period ends 2-2.
Period 3: Early in the period a pass that jumps over Jay Bletzer's stick leads a break for the Roughriders, but Evan Stoflet is able to catch up and break up the play. At 3:46 the Bucs get another power play opportunity as Matt Olinger goes off for holding which the Roughriders are to kill off. Barely a minute after that penalty ends, Olinger makes his 4th appearance to the sin bin, this time for high-sticking. At 9:38 the referee, Tyler Johnson (he worked the Green Bay-Tri-City November 1, 2002 game, which had game total 160 PIM; 116 PIM in the second period alone) , moves the marble over to his other pocket as Reagan goes off for hooking. At the 10:38 mark, Guerin gets another break and scores short-handed to make it 3-2 Bucs. The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty as well.
Around 9:19 PM Central Time on Pointstreak this appeared:
UNOFFICIAL FINAL
Des Moines 3
Cedar Rapids 2
BOXSCORE / PRINTABLE GAMESHEET / REF SIGNOFF
I know this is an error, but I would live with this as a final.
At 16:29 mark the Roughriders go on their 5th power play with Jay Bletzer going off for holding. The fifth time is charm as the Roughriders' Chase Watson make it 3-3 on the power play at 18:21 point. But at 18:52 mark, Kevin Brooks goes off 2-minutes for cross-checking from behind. The period ends 3-3.
Overtime: The Roughriders are able to kill off the remainder of the Brooks' penalty. The period ends like it started, 3-3.
Shoot-Out: First two shooters for both teams were able to score and both third shooters were not able to score. Fallon stopped Buccaneers' fourth shooter, Matt Burto, but Cedar Rapids' Troy Brummett was able to get the puck past Bucchino. Mike Neilon was unable to score and the Roughriders escape with the shoot-out win. Written by Kevin Kasel.
Bucs Fall To Sioux City
Sioux City, IA (11.8.02):
Side note: #21 Kris Bouchard is now on the Buccaneers and Eric Helstedt was sent to Chicago for future considerations. Kris played for the Bucs last season.
Period 1: Brian Papcun has his third start this season. He had an early-season injury that limited his playing time this season. Bucs get the first power play of the game - Brandon Polich, tripping at 2:49 mark, which had both goal tenders "wandering" away from their net which lead to chances but no goals. The small rink is leading to several chances for both teams, and keeps the goal tenders on toes. Actions keeps going back and forth in the pinball of an arena. At 14:14 the Bucs go on their second power play chance, as Mike Curry goes off for slashing. At 15:21 mark the Bucs get called for "too many men on the ice" to eliminate the Bucs power play opportunity as both skate 4-on-4. But, Justin Fletcher goes off for tripping 15:56 point to give the Bucs another power play opportunity. Tomas Jasko has a chance on the 4-on-4 opportunity but missed the net, but a few seconds later, Jasko goes to the sin bin at 17:16 mark. The period ends with the same score as it started with, 0-0.
Period 2: 1:08 into the period, Ryan Dingle goes off for tripping to give the Musketeers another power play opportunity, that the Bucs are able to kill off. Musketeers get on the board first; off the stick of Adam Fincik (Justin Fletcher) at 5:51. 12:59, Musketeers come in 2-on-1 and Gary Houseman scores with assists to Brandon Schwartbauer and B.J. Greaves to the Musketeers the 2-0 lead. Play keeps up the back-and-forth action in this arena and the period ends 2-0 Musketeers.
Period 3: Early on, the goalies are busy again, both Papcun and Jan Chovan. Both answer the calls to keep it 2-0 game. Good things happen when you throw the puck at the net ... Tomas Jasko from a bad angle cuts the lead in half 2-1 at 5:34 mark. Not much later the Musketeers re-gain the 2-goal lead with Justin Fletcher getting credit for the goal at 6:41 point. At 9:58 the USHL league leading PIM leader, Arthur Femenella goes off for holding to give the Bucs a power play opportunity, but are unable to convert. At 12:26, Brian Bales gives the Musketeers a 4-1 lead. At 13:41 Mike Curry goes off for tripping to give the Bucs their 5th power play opportunity, but the Musketeers kill it off. Late in the game, Travis Anderson (Matt Burto, Mike Franks) gets his first goal of the season at 19:44 mark. Musketeers win 4-2. Bucs are 1-3-1 for 3 points with 14 goals for and 19 goals against on the road.
Side story: Father files suit after son fails to win MVP award
This does not have anything to do with the Des Moines Buccaneers or the USHL, but I think it is interesting story. In a nut shell, a Father of a Bantam (14 and under) player in the New Brunswick Bantam AAA league is suing the league for $300,000 because his son is so crushed that he didn't win the league's Most Valuable Player award. Written by Kevin Kasel.
Lincoln Adds To Buc Skid
Urbandale, IA (11.9.02): The league leading Lincoln Stars added to the Bucs losing streak, taking a 4-1 victory on the Buccaneers home ice. The Buccaneers have now gone without a win in their last 4 games, dropping their record to 4-7-1. Of the four wins, three needed to be decided in shoot-outs; the Bucs only outright win came on opening night against Waterloo on September 28. The Bucs outshot Lincoln 35-33, only the fifth time that Bucs have outshot their opponent this year. Despite the recent losses, Coach Ferguson remains confident as the Bucs continue to improve each week.
The Bucs lone goal came on a powerplay at 11:32 of the first period when Jon Rudnick and Joel Kitchen assisted Marty Guerin. Lincoln scored early in the first period to tie the game and then get what was to be the game-winner with 2 minutes remaining in the second period. The Stars added 2 more goals in the third period to ice the win. Story by Steve Bendy.
Bucs Defeat USHL Leader
Urbandale, IA (11.14.02): The Buccaneers played one of their best games of the season and showed the fans their potential, defeating the league-leading Lincoln Stars, 4-3. From the very first drop of the puck the Bucs kept the pressure on the Stars net. The pressure was rewarded with a 2-0 first period lead. Returning Buccaneer Kris Bouchard teamed up with Joel Kitchen to assist Marty Guerin to make it 1-0 with 3 minutes left in the period. After the goal was scored, the Bucs put on more pressure 
forcing a Lincoln penalty. In a display of grit and determination Kyle Bushee walked in on Lincoln goalie Nate Ziegelmann and scored a powerplay goal. Marty Guerin had the lone assist.
Lincoln scored 2:36 into the period to cut the Bucs lead to 2-1, but the Bucs came right back and scored 15 seconds later to make it 3-1. Ryan Dingle brought the puck from behind the net and saw the goalie out of position. He shot the puck in from the tough angle. The assist went to Matt Burto. The second period ended with the Bucs leading 3-2.
The Bucs continued to play solid defense, and 12:45 into the period Lincoln was whistled for an interference call. The Bucs wasted no time scoring. It was one of the prettiest goals I have seen all season. Marty Guerin brought the puck into the zone and faked a shot just inside the blue-line. He passed to Evan Stoflet who was to the side and front of the net. Everyone who was not faked-out by Marty expected him to shoot. Instead, he passed to Joel Kitchen who took the pass and slapped it in the open net. The crowd responded to the play with a standing ovation. The Bucs were on top 4-2. With just under 2 minutes to play, Lincoln pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Coach Ferguson said that the one mental lapse we had all night allowed the goal seconds later. The Bucs held tough and even had a chance at the open net. It did not matter, as time expired clinching the win for the Bucs. Photography and story by Steve Bendy.
Cedar Rapids Beat Bucs 4-1
Cedar Rapids, IA (11.15.02):
Period 1: Roughriders get the first power play opportunity as Jamie Hoffmann goes off, that the Bucs are able to kill off. At 7:49 mark, Jacob Schuster goes off for tripping, but the Bucs are unable to convert. Marty Guerin pays a visit to the sin bin for elbowing that the Bucs are able to kill off to keep it 0-0. Zach Pearson gives the Bucs another power play opportunity. The Bucs get a short 2-man advantage as Troy Brummett goes off for slashing. The Roughriders are able to kill off the first penalty, and catch a break,as Buccaneer Travis Anderson pulls down a Roughrider to eliminate a clear break and evens things up 4-on-4 hockey at 19:05 mark. Near the end of the period, Brian Papcun's best friend, the pipe saves him and keeps it 0-0 has they head into the locker room.
Period 2: The Bucs are able to kill off the remainder of Anderson's penalty. The Roughriders get first blood as Chase Watson slides the pass across to Shawn Vinz who gives the Roughriders the 1-0 lead at 5:18 point. Less then 2-minutes later Watson gives the Roughriders a 2-0 lead. Then with 7 seconds left in the period, Tyler Howell gives the Roughriders the 3-0 lead heading into the locker room.
Period 3: Five minutes into the period, the Roughriders go on the power play as Bob Kenworthy heads to the sin bin. The Bucs are able to kill off the penalty. At 12:19 Bryce Anderson (Ryan Dingle, Jamie Hoffmann) eliminates Joe Fallon's shutout bid to make it 3-1. Zach Pearson gives the Roughriders the 3-goal lead again at 14:27 mark, 4-1 Roughriders. 4-1 is the final. Written by Kevin Kasel.
Bucs Blow 3-1 Lead, Fall To Waterloo
Urbandale, IA (11.27.02, 11.29.02): The Des Moines Buccaneers fell to the Sioux City Musketeers Wednesday, 5-1, and defeated the Green Bay Gamblers, 6-3 Friday night. Wednesday night the Buccaneers were within a goal until the third period when the Musketeers scored 3 goals to put the game away, 5-1. Marty Guerin scored the lone Buccaneer goal. See photos above and watch the movie of Marty Guerin's goal.
Friday night the Buccaneers got their offense in gear, scoring 6 goals and picking up only their second win of the month. Jon Rudnick, Mike Neilon, Jamie Hoffman, and Tomas Jasko each scored a goal. team captain and mister reliable Marty Guerin scored 2 goals. Photography and story by Steve Bendy.
Bucs Fall To Chicago in Shoot-out
Chicago, IL (11.30.02): Period 1: Bucs strike early while short-handed, Mike Neilon steals the pass and comes in and back-hands the puck into the net to give the Bucs the 1-0 lead. About twenty seconds later, the Steel cash in the power play to tie it up 1-1. At 11:35 mark, Nick Harris gives the Steel the 2-1 lead. The period ends 2-1 Steel leading.
Period 2: Both goal-tenders, Brian Papcun and Adam D'Alba made several key saves in the period to keep the score the same. Both teams had their chances on the power play and the period ends the way it started 2-1 Steel. The Bucs do have a power play that will carry over into the third period.
Period 3: Bucs are able to convert the carry-over power play into a goal to make it 2-2. Ryan Dingle is credited with the goal (according to pointstreak.com) at the 1:08 mark, with assists to Travis Anderson and Tomas Jasko. Most of the rest of the period is good defense and goal-tending to keep the score the same. The period ends 2-2.
Overtime: Neither team are able to end the game in overtime and we head into a shoot-out.
Shoot-Out: D'Alba is able to stop all five of Des Moines' shooters and Chicago's first shooter, Eric Slais is able to hit pipe and have it roll off Papcun's and into the net to get the game-winner. Written by Kevin Kasel.
