Bucs at Lincoln Stars
Sunday, December 1, 1996

It was the third time we were playing the Stars. Already they had beat us twice. It was also the first time that the Bucs had traveled down to the rejuvenated horse barn on the fair grounds. The Stars were eleven points behind us, but they had also played six fewer games. Remember that.

I was feeling pretty good, when you score 52 seconds into the game, you begin to think that the victory has already been handed to you. Dave Boehm scored that first goal (assist to Alex Kim), he was bound to have a good game. With 12:52 left in the period Chris Antzoulatos started in early on his tirade for most penalty minutes (cross checking). He definitely wasn't done for the night. But now it was Pete Fregoe's turn. Fregoe got a two minute minor and a ten minute misconduct. That would take him out for a good many minutes, we didn't need that. After the night before when he got kicked out of the game during the second, we certainly didn't need that. 11:37 into the period the Stars Richard Spiller got his second goal of the season on an end to end rush (assist to Ted Suihkonen and Bryan Lundbohm). Antzoulatos got his second penalty near the end, giving the Stars their third power play opportunity. Fortunately they (Lincoln) hadn't capitalized on any of the power plays.

Not far into the second period and Adrian Fure got a penalty for roughing. Josh Langfeld got a penalty for tripping not long after that to even it up. We had about a minute of power play after Fure got out of the box. Dave Boehm scored just after the power play had expired, 5:19 into the period, I was told it was a very pretty goal (assist to Derek Robertson and Adrian Fure). Though it sounded like we weren't having any problem with our offense, neither was Lincoln. Their pressure gauge was on just as high. With 6:58 to go in the period Josh Langfeld scored (assist to Marc Suderman and Rich Anderson). Clemmensen came up real big after this on a save. Derek Reynolds took a penalty off that and we would get our fourth power play; whether we could do anything with it.... Nope, not even one shot on that one. Jason Braun for Lincoln was having quite a night also. He stopped Erik Cole from a really great shot. Later that shift when Cole took the puck in with speed and beat Braun it hit the cross bar! Braun was lucky on that one. Still when the period was over the Stars had out shot us.

Things were happening in this game, and they happened quickly. Twenty-two seconds into the third period Mike Hanson came in on right wing and gave a savage wrist shot into the net (assist to Adrian Fure). Boehm, I think, wanted a hat trick. He had several good chances. If he had gotten it we would have been better off. Antzoulatos went for his third penalty in the third period, this one was for elbowing. Around the nine minute mark Jason Furness and Jake Searles collided on the ice, that brought a round of applause to the Stars fans. Near the end of the period the ref wasn't calling any penalties, and as Todd Kimm said "he must have eaten his whistle for dinner." Derek Reynolds plowed down Laden, cross checking him into Clemmensen for a nice mess. It wasn't called. We could have been much farther ahead than we were. Not only did Braun stop Erik Cole but he was stoning Alex Kim too. There was a minute and twenty seconds left to go and the Bucs were ahead only by one. As the Stars went into a time out the fans stood for their team. Braun was pulled for the extra attacker. With fourteen seconds left to go we thought the victory was ours. Adrian Fure kept a hold of the puck a little too long and Rich Anderson was able to take it from him and score (assist to Derek Reynolds) with only 14 seconds left! No, no, no, noo....!!!

Nightmares of the last time we played Lincoln resurfaced. I really don't like shoot outs! Please God, don't let there be a shoot out!! My prayers were answered, only I forgot to specify who I wanted to win the game. Thirty seconds into overtime Josh Langfeld beat Clemmensen high to the left side (assist to Rich Anderson and Marc Suderman). That old losing feeling sunk deep into my gut. If you think of it one way, sure it's just another loss. Then if you turn it around it becomes very depressing, we've lost every game against Lincoln! Ignore me right now, we're on the top of the league, so what's the big deal? I'm just being a pessimist. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 3 - Lincoln 4

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Bucs vs Fargo-Moorhead Sharks
Friday, December 6, 1996

This Fargo Moorhead team was revamped. They had gone through a change of owners, management, coach, etc. The works. Their jersey's now sport the new look, with strange numbers and swipes at angles along it. Sharks jump out of the middle of the jersey, out of ice of course. All I kept hearing was this was a very low scoring team with two very good goalies.

With 11:34 left in the period our captain Adrian Fure scored (assist to Mikhail Saliyenko and Jason Furness). Bobby Haglund had quite a rough shift around the nine minute mark. He was running into players left and right (actually left and left). Needless to say, the other players always fell. Don't you just love watching the camaraderie between the players? Mark Krueger couldn't seem to shake Shawn Endres; Endres had a nice hook in Krueger and was about to take him down. Jason Furness (6'3'') skated in and smashed Endres (5'10'') into the boards. Yep, friends are good things. Poor Bobby was really lacking dexterity last night. Hey - that's okay! Every time he ran into someone they fell down. Maybe he did that on purpose? Then with 20.8 seconds left Erik Cole scored a "dandy" of a goal upstairs and to the stick side (assist to Matt Libby). Beautifully sweet, and he thought so too.

Derek Robertson had a clean, shorthanded goal 5:01 into the second period. "Every team should have a Canadian on it." Mikhail Saliyenko intercepted the puck at the blue line before the clock said 11:38 and came in alone against the goalie. It either deflected off the post or the goalie's pads, I don't know which, I just know it didn't go in. Oh yeah, and I'm supposed to add that I was sitting next to a really nice guy. At 8:08 Adrian Fure and another Shark got coincidental minors. Yvon Hopps also got a roughing. Fure and Hopps tried to go in the box at the same time, let me tell you that doesn't work. Yes, and Clemmensen was doing an awesome job!

I guess I'm not very clear on what exactly a roughing call is. With a minute left Erik Cole was called for roughing - but he was under the other guy. So, in order to "rough" you have to let the other player sit on you? Hmmm.... Clemmensen made a save with 22 seconds left and as that leg shot out, boom, a Shark launched himself over it. Perfectly timed. Clemmensen had made 23 saves so far, and he was 100% for the first two periods.

That hundred percent was changed when Benji Wolke scored with 19:09 left in the period (assist to Jeff Panzer and Ryan Sarazin). It went right over Clemmensen's shoulder. About five minutes into the period the gears seemed to shift and the speed quickened. We were called for too many men on the ice at 11:45, Jake Searles served that penalty. Pete Fregoe got yet another of his amazing breakaway's at 7:39 when he picked it away from the defense. He didn't score, but the fact that he got the breakaway was enough, almost. Hopps, Fure, and Wolke all went at 5:21 for various penalties. But it was mainly roughing coincidental's and a cross-checking to Wolke. All this brought on much excitement. Later Christian Laden and Toby Schneider both went for roughing. It was put into overdrive after this. All this happened after the five minute mark and now we barely had two minutes left. As the play rushed down to the sharks zone we realized that there was no goalie in the net, only a sliding player minus the goalie equipment was in the net. Before the period ended we had another fray. Dave Boehm tried to stop the extra attacker on Laden and got put away for "fighting." He got pulled into fighting but didn't mean to. Shawn Endres, Boehm, and Laden all got roughing minors and misconduct's. Clemmensen had made 33 saves for the night, and he only let one in. Not bad huh? Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 3 - Fargo Moorhead 1

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Bucs vs Rochester Mustangs
Saturday, December 7, 1996

Since I always feel like I must have an opening paragraph then I'll go against the grain and start right into the game. Well, okay, so I want to say one little thing. It has to do with Rochester's team, which we haven't seen much of yet. Jeff Turner, the top points leader in the USHL plays for the Mustangs. I was also privileged to see John Chain, though I didn't get to see him play.

I didn't have much to comment on during the first period. It was a clean non-stopping game, with no penalties. Rochester is known for taking few penalties. One thing I noticed was how Rochester crashed the net, and I mean quite literally. They kept running into the net. Carl Boben was breaking towards Scott Clemmensen with Yvon Hopps hanging on him. Boben ran right into Clemmensen while the puck struck off the post and the net, Boben, and Clemmensen all went sliding backwards simultaneously. Hey, Pete Fregoe, I saw that!! Even if the ref didn't see you intentionally trip that Rochester player, I did. Rochester scored first, there was a fumble at the net, a groan from the crowd, and the red light went on. That goal was gotten by one Aaron Coleman 16:49 into the period (assist to Scott McIlroy and Mike Stuart).

Thirty six seconds into the second period Alex Kim scored the first goal (assist to Sean Austin and Dave Boehm). Jake Searles was working hard and justly needed a goal, he came...so close...at 14:36 in the game. He was going to get his chance soon. These close games are always very exciting. This one was, but Rochester is a fast team so it was bound to be fast paced. Not even a minute after Jake's first try he scored the goal he'd been deserving for a while (assist to Pete Fregoe and Derek Robertson). NOTE: The official stats now say that Fregoe got the goal, not Searles. While I was writing all this down, Rochester's Ryan Wetterberg scored (assist to Josh Lampman). Oh darn, and I thought we'd finally be leading! You know it always takes something out of the crowd when the other team scores right after you have.

At the beginning of the third period Jake scored again, that play was brought about by Pete (assist to Pete Fregoe and Derek Robertson). It was a beautiful tic-tac-toe move. Of all the lines last night, the Searles, Robertson, Fregoe line was definitely the hottest. Here's a question for you - How many times can you say Clemmensen's doing' a good job? He has really improved since last year, even from the beginning of the season. With 4:38 left Brett Kallias hauled down Fregoe away from a possible goal. He was put in the box for roughing. Now here was a call to the fan's liking! With 13.1 seconds left the face-off was near Clemmensen, but Rochester called a time out before they got ready for it. The net was empty and Hanson, Cole, and Trainor were getting ready for the face off. With one more goal Rochester could tie the game and people were leaving the arena! How can they do that? The puck got iced and we still had 4 seconds left on the clock as we got ready for the next face off. It all ended and the players congratulated each other as the teams got off the ice. Rochester is a classy team. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 3 - Rochester 2

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Bucs at Omaha Lancers
Saturday, December 14, 1996

Let me tell you a little about my background. I'm from Omaha. It's hard for me to explain, but pity me I was born there. Fourteen years of my life were spent there. One doesn't turn their back on the homeland. So understanding this, you'll understand the conflicting emotions raging through my traitorous fraught mind. Like I said, pity me. And when the "heat is on" blared out, all those old chills and thrills ran through my jelly spine. But, when you adopt a child, you still love him like your own and I am loyal to that which I have watched grow.

A resounding boo filled Ak-sar-ben (notice it's Nebraska backwards?) when Pete Fregoe scored with 18:53 left in the first period (assist to Derek Robertson). A completely new face was on the Buccaneer team, he wore Jason Furness' jersey. He was Furness... minus the beard. I don't know if I like it, he's not the menacing figure he once was.

I soaked up the old atmosphere in the arena I once called mine. It was different this time, I was not one of those cheering for the orange. I was the silent spy watching my adopted team and listening to them get ragged on. Mike Hastings had been quoted in that morning's paper as saying he hoped the fans would be in the game. At 7:45 they were in it. Screaming for no apparent reason. But when Chris Antzoulatos was put away and the vacancy sign on the penalty box was changed to occupied, I realized why. I realized that they had been complaining about his behavior. Ahh, that was nothing, you should see him when he really gets going! Graham Melanson kicked the net loose with 29 seconds left and received a delay of game for that move. He must have gotten nervous.

It had taken us longer than we thought during the first intermission and when we finally got back to our seats, they were taken. So when Bill Trainor scored 1:48 into the second period (assist to Mike Hanson and Erik Cole), we missed the goal. All because we were busy haggling with people to get our seats back. 4:24 in the game and Luke Duplessis scored (assist to Andrew Tortorella). The crowd got to their feet and started their theme song.

About a minute later the Lancers scored again with Andrew Tortorella (assist to Justin Morrison and Neil Breen). What had been a fairly clean first period turned into a penalty laden second as coincidental's were being dished out. At 9:37 when Adrian Fure went into the box for holding and discussion ensued the crowd started cheering wildly. The ref skated over to the scorers bench and the crowd was sure they were getting another penalty on Des Moines. No such luck, it was only our time-out. Clemmensen decided he wasn't letting anything more into the net (well minus the Buc that later slides into the net, but more on that soon). You could tell he started saving shots that seemed unbelievable. He put on his chain mail and stopped everything.

The crowd was quiet after each time Clemmensen made the save and stopped the onslaught. But what could they do? Cheer for the nice saves he was making? Now, a very maddening call was made at 14:11 of the second period. Jason Urquhart dropped his gloves and was trying to fight Antzoulatos, Urquhart got several punches in and went crazy. Antzoulatos didn't want to fight, he was backing away and in the process both linesman fell down trying to keep Urquhart off Antzoulatos. I suppose they thought they were trying to keep Antzoulatos off too? Chris didn't even drop his gloves! Both got 2 minute rough calls but Antonio got a 2 minute slashing on top of that! Ohh, refs, who needs 'em? With 1:41 left in the second period Bobby Pullam was called for interference. He had taken down a Buc who went sliding into Clemmensen. Both Scott and that other Buc (couldn't see the jersey number) were inside of the net. We watched as Clemmensen toppled over the player and took the net down over the both of them. They were safely inside of the white net. It got some laughs from the crowd, until Pullam was put in the box. Then with 47 seconds left Mike Hanson got a hot goal (assist to Bill Trainor and Erik Cole). I screamed for that one, even though I was in the middle of enemy territory, it was a such a good goal. The crowd just moaned.

Billy scored his second goal of the night 4:58 into the third period (assist to Derek Robertson). The Bucs were now ahead 4-2. As Luke Duplessis got a penalty around 13:13, a faint echo from Des Moines sounded "hey..., see ya!" There was a group of Buc fans somewhere. There was another call that didn't go quite right in the middle of the third period. When a fight erupted near Clemmensen, Alex Kim went crazy attacking a Lancer. While the officials were trying to calm other people down Kim just skated back to the bench. Jeff Edwards and Scott Matzka both got put into the penalty box for cross checking and ten minute misconduct's. However Kim wasn't given a penalty for all that. I didn't mind that, and I'm sure he didn't either, but...? With 3:42 left in the third period the Lancers called their time-out. The net was empty for the Lancers and with 43 seconds left in the game Alex Kim stole the puck from a Lancer and tossed it easily into the net (unassisted). So the Bucs comfortably won both games with the Lancers and I survived old memories. The Bucs won and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 5 - Omaha 2

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Bucs vs Sioux City Musketeers
Friday, December 20, 1996

What? Briere is in goal? I just saw him in Omaha last weekend! Well, now his little white helmet is playing for Sioux City. He's not the only new one playing for the Musketeers. Omaha also gave up Mats Carseberg. My prediction for tonight was originally going to be a blow out. Considering Sioux City had the most goals against in the USHL. After I saw these two new players I began to wonder if maybe things would change.

It almost seemed like we were dying in the first period. Sure we did okay, but Sioux City was a different team and we weren't playing. When I say we weren't playing, I mean it was like we didn't show up. Around 13:02 something finally seemed to happen, they started playing a little bit better. It must have helped because at 12:20 Erik Cole got his tenth goal of the season (unassisted). Cole danced for joy. Then at 10:05 Derek Robertson got the Bucs their second goal (assist to Jake Searles). I couldn't see this however, because we had people decide to come in late to the game, and they were standing in front of us! I could hear the crowd though, it sounded glorious. The Musketeers at 8:11 got their first goal from, guess who, Mats Carseberg. There were just too many guys in front of Clemmensen. Yep, Sioux City was a different team. Carseberg and Briere certainly helped them out.

So we were leading, but we looked dead. I thought we looked disorganized in practice too. Maybe they were too excited about going home for Christmas break. Half of them were leaving that night. You know, after having the flu, hot dogs with ketchup and relish, chili cheese nachos, and pizza just make you sick! It's terrible when you have to watch people eating this stuff! Sioux City tied the game at 12:54 to Steve Savre (assist to Maher and High). Ryan Rentz took a high sticking five minute major at 11:55. Twenty seconds into the power play Robertson passed the puck behind him, somehow, to Alex Kim. Kim came so close to getting it in! I suppose it's not worth mentioning this since they didn't score, but it was one of the best plays I had seen all night. Though I'd been notoriously missing every goal that night, at 9:16 I didn't miss the goal Bill Trainor scored (assist to Adrian Fure and Erik Cole). Want to hear about it? Adrian Fure slapped it in from the blue line, Bill picked up the rebound and moved around the goalie waiting, after Briere went down Bill put it up into the net. The water bottle leapt into the air spraying water as it flew. We were soon going to get our second power play goal. Chris Thompson had been picking on Kim for awhile. Dave Boehm even stepped in to protect Kim, but Thompson was bound to get him. When he did get Alex, the ref was watching. He was called for roughing and this allowed Erik Cole to score 14 minute even into the period (assist to Bill Trainor and Mike Hanson). Hey Clarkson! Here comes Cole.

I was trying hard, but by the third period I was loosing my cool. Nothing mattered much beyond a pitiful "Oh that's nice." The Pepsi I'd downed had only managed to make me shaky and gave me an added underlying sense of false excitement. It wasn't energy. Nope, that would require action and I had no action! It was like wearing a mask. You know what's really under that mask, but you still get the feeling of both faces. At 14:32 Derek Robertson scored (assist to Jake Searles). The announcer rolled the R on Robertson as our leading goal scorer notched his second goal of the night. Searles fed Robertson perfectly. But of course he would! They're good friends, the can read each others minds, right? I couldn't wait for the end, so I could sit in a dazed state with out having to watch anything. At 1:34 Sioux City called a time out after Adrian Fure was given a penalty. They would have a power play and most likely an extra attacker without their goalie in net. Robertson and Cole rushed down to the empty net with other Musketeers trailing them. They didn't score, but it was great to see Robertson pass the puck up to Cole instead of being selfish and keeping it to himself. Sioux City had made a total of 29 saves to our 27 saves. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Hey out there! Everybody have a Merry Christmas and I'll see ya on the 27th!!!

Des Moines 5 - Sioux City 2

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Bucs vs Twin Cities Vulcans
Friday, December 27, 1996

Exactly how well would they all play tonight? I don't know about anyone else but that was a big question in my mind, knowing what most of them wanted to do during Christmas break. Eh, hmm...or should I say what most of them did do during Christmas break. We won't talk about that though.

At 17:44, number 16, Chris Paradise went two minutes for roughing. But at 15:59 Bill Trainor got a penalty for slashing and that took care of the next ten seconds of power play. Big whoop, ten seconds left of power play, huh? Somewhere around the fifteen minute mark an announcement for a black/grey Ford pickup with a California license plate came across the loud speaker. It needed to be moved. I wonder who's that could be! Could it be... Chris Antzoulatos? The Vulcans got the first goal. It was a fluky goal, it hit the post. The argument was that it hit the inside of the post. The goal was given to Doug Schueller (assist to Mike Pudlick and Ryan Maxson). There was a lot of argument over that one. They were attempting passes. It was a sloppy attempt. But then with ten minutes left things started falling into place... in an incoherent way. The Bucs scored their first goal at 8:42 when Erik Cole went upstairs glove side (assist to Sean Austin). Then just seconds later (before they could even get out the announcement for the first goal) Pete Fregoe scored a second goal 11:29 into the first (assist to Derek Robertson and Jake Searles). The first goal by Cole was a beauty, to borrow a phrase from Bob and Doug McKenzie. You saw the goalie save, and you were sure he had saved it, but a split second later he had scored. Dave Boehm at 3:38 scored the third goal as he swept in front of the goalie (assist to Sean Austin and Scott Clemmensen). Not bad for a goalie, eh? Two assists and the season's not over. With 2:21 left Jake Searles scored on a slapshot that completely fooled the Vulcan goalie (assist to Derek Robertson and Pete Fregoe). I believe the Bucs were getting back for that first goal by the Vulcans. The last minute of the first period was intense, very intense. Twin Cities had eleven shots on goal while the Bucs had eight more.

My goal for the second period? To finish my ice cream cone while writing notes. It was peppermint, thanks for asking. 2:08 into the second Bill Trainor got the Bucs fifth goal off a great feed from Cole (assist to Erik Cole and Mike Hanson). When the clock stopped it said 13:24, the play I had just seen was... weird. Dave Boehm had chased Nick Stephens all over the ice. They started at the face off circle and when Stephens took the puck around behind his own net with Boehm chasing him. He then proceeded to chase him all the way to the other end. Nothing came of it. 11:48 and the Vulcans got on the board again from Kelly Wynn (assist to Erik Wenkus). Pete Fregoe had a terrible shift and finally at 9:11 Ben Christopherson was put away for picking on him. Christopherson just wouldn't leave Pete alone. Not long after this Pete Fregoe scored! Oh, you mean it doesn't count when the player goes into the net? The Bucs really did score 18:06 into the period from Jake Searles (assist to Derek Robertson). All we could do was shake our head in affirmation of that goal, it was quite a... doozie. I'll bet the Vulcans wished they wouldn't have cut Searles from their team.

In the third period they announced the Bucs seventh goal as Sean Austin's at 18:52. However we know it wasn't Austin's, it was Matt Libby's. They later corrected their mistake. Twin Cities changed goalies at this point, putting Todd Kelzenberg in goal instead. Poor Kelzenberg, we weren't done with him. Dave Boehm scored 4:31 into the period (assist to Matt Libby and Adrian Fure). Now I always mention fights. Sometimes there isn't much to mention and I get bored of saying "so and so dropped his gloves, both got ejected." This fight was different. It was one of the funniest fights I've ever seen. Sean Austin was involved, really involved! He was fighting, he was actually throwing punches and the guy he was on top of! Yes, he did get kicked out, and won a free lunch for that fight. Kim had two guys on him and so naturally Bobby Haglund came and helped him out. Then a little later the goalie was chasing Bobby and beating up on him. The goalie, of course, never got kicked out! Christian Laden was in there fighting too. The calls were terrible, Hags should not have been kicked out, but he was. Austin, Kim, and Laden were also kicked out. Kim tried to sneak by without having to be put away. After he was free of his attackers he casually skated back to the bench - Only later to be told to get in the box. He smiled all the way to the box. Hey, if it works, try it! Mark Leitner, Matt Caven, Corey Hessler, and Drew Otten all got kicked out for the Vulcans. The goalie however was not kicked out and the crowd wanted him to go. They jeered him and he only raised his stick in the air and kept time with our "goalie out" chant. He made other rude gestures, but I'm not going to comment on those! Luckily for him, he quit just before the ref and linesmen looked to see what he was doing - it would have been an un-sportsmanlike penalty for sure. That took all my energy watching that fight.

At 4:42 Eric Wenkus scored the Vulcans their third goal (unassisted). Then Matt Libby scored again 15:56 into the period (assist to Mike Hanson). I honestly want to know, how can people leave before the game is over? Sure the Bucs were winning by a large margin, but it's hockey! So how many goals did Sarah miss this game because she was writing notes? Probably about four, but only two were Buc goals. Jake Searles, Derek Robertson, and Matt Libby were all players of the game. A total of saves for the Vulcans was 27 and the Bucs had a total of 23. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 9 - Twin Cities 3

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Bucs at Sioux City Musketeers
Saturday, December 28, 1996

After the fight Friday night Bobby shouldn't have been able to play because he was the third-man-in on the fight. But the rules were bent, because of another rule. Confusing? Yep. Hey, at least Hags got to play! Jayme Platt was finally going to get the start, which he much needed. At least tonight we wouldn't have Mats Carseberg to deal with. He was still in Mexico for Christmas break. He had originally made plans while in Omaha to spend that time down there, so Sioux City allowed him to stay. Oh, by the way, Carseberg's parents moved from Sweden to Mexico this last month. Don't ask me why.

The first half of the period was uneventful. Sioux City had just come off their eighth loss the night before. They would probably lose again. It's been a tough road for them though, because they just lost their coach at the beginning of the season. Several other players left after that. That uneventful first half was slowly turning eventful... for the Muskies. There was still no shot on goal for the Bucs with around 13:35 to go and it was all Musketeers. Particularly the Chris Bodnar line. Last time we played Sioux City we won 5 to 3, but it wasn't an easy win. The Musketeers fought us for every inch. I had no doubt they'd do the same tonight. At 12:20 we got our first shot on goal from Matt Libby. Within seconds he put the second shot on goal also. With his two goals and assist the night before Libby has been flying high. Know what else? Go see the movie the Preacher's Wife, Libby has a very minor part in it. Midway through the ice skating scene look for Libby playing hockey in the back. He's wearing a maroon jacket.

It was 11:02 and Platt had already made ten saves while Briere was relaxing in a rocking chair. He had made a possible three saves to Platt's ten. Todd Kimm said it was only a matter of time, I was waiting for it because I was inclined to agree. At 13:33 Chris Opkskar scored the first goal (assist to Steve Savre and Chris Bodnar). After that first goal the Bucs got fired up, soon the saves were pretty even at fifteen. Near the end the Bucs got their first power play opportunity. Sioux City has already given up 51 power play goals on the season. It was quite a power play; of course Steve Briere was always there. I would have thought he would be asleep! The Muskies killed off that penalty because of Briere. The end of the period brought a total of saves for both teams at 18. Not bad for the Bucs considering they didn't start rolling until halfway through it.

But the Bucs always seem to bounce back quickly. Twelve seconds into the second period Derek Robertson scored (assist to Jake Searles and Sean Austin). There was plenty of offense during the first ten minutes of the period. Midway through the period Erik Strand took a penalty to give the Musketeers their first power play. However the Bucs have a good penalty killing line and the Musketeers have given away many short handed goals. I feel, at this point, that I must mention the penalty "box" in Sioux City. It's not a box, it's actually a hallway. I know some people have asked where Chris Antzoulatos and Garrett Stafford are. Well, they were still in L.A, while the rest of the team practiced for two hours Thursday night. They got back a little late, so they got suspended. It reminds me of the year when Todd Kidd got back home late and also got suspended. Speaking of Kid - Robertson will be playing with him at Denver University next year; Denver must be thrilled. Derek scored his 19th goal of the season as he beat Briere in the five hole 12:30 into the period (assist to Pete Fregoe and Jake Searles). After that goal the Bucs took off. Erik Cole scored at 12:14 (assist to Christian Laden and...another goalie... Jayme Platt). Then 16:12 into the period Jake Searles scored (assist to Derek Robertson). It had been a good period so far. On a Buccaneer turnover with 3:01 to go Jeff Carlson scored Sioux City's second goal (unassisted).

Briere was continuing his gallantry saving everything that came close to him. But things slowed down in the third period. Mike Hanson came close to getting a goal, but Briere stopped him. When Randy Enders slid into Jayme Platt and took him down, there was fear of re-injury. Jayme eventually got back up and tried to play on. 10:10 Jason Furness and Ernie Thorpe, both 6'3'', got in a little fight. Because the fight took place late in the third period, Furny won't be playing for the next game either. After the fight Jayme went to the Locker room - to much fear of a re-injury. Clemmensen came out for the remainder of the game. Robertson got his hat trick at 11:14 (assist to Alex Kim). He centered it and it came of Briere's stick for the power play goal. Sioux City wasn't dead as previously thought, because 11:48 into the period (just seconds after Robertson's) Ryan Rentz scored (assist to Chris Thompson and Joe Yurecko). Clemmensen was screened when they got that goal and suddenly we were at the same 5 to 3 score as last time we played them. With 52.4 seconds left in the period Sioux City fans were leaving. Sure, it looked like there wasn't a chance, but there was. The net was empty, the extra attacker was on, and the face off was in our zone. They still had a chance... until Derek Robertson stepped up to get his fourth goal. Robertson went for the empty net with thirty second left in the period (assist to Jake Searles). That put the game away and gave Robertson most likely the best game of his life. We topped of our seven game winning streak with that. I'll mention Jayme before I sign off, his ankle was wrapped and he was slightly limping. The next thing we wonder about is whether we'll need a new goalie, if this injury proves to be long term. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 6 - Sioux City 3

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Bucs vs North Iowa Huskies
Tuesday, December 31, 1996

The last day of 1996! How was it for you? Well... my apologies to Chris Antzoulatos and Garrett Stafford... even if it was true. I don't have much to say about North Iowa, I guess not much has traveled around about the team. I knew they could beat us, but I also knew we could beat them.

At 16:49 Bobby Haglund and Pat Gunderson both went for roughing. This was mentioned only because there wasn't much else to mention. I don't know if I dare mention that Jason Furness was suspended, because I've already gotten in trouble for mentioning other suspensions. Anyway, Furness did get suspended for the fight the game before (he had fought after the ten minute mark). On the first burst of speed I've seen from Mikhail Saliyenko in a while, Pat Gunderson took him down. Blast it! At 12:09 Pete Fregoe was put back on the point. They were trying to get something going. Then at 11:40 Fregoe shot the puck in from the blue line (assist to Adrian Fure and Bill Trainor). North Iowa's B.J. Anderson tied it at 9:58 when the puck hit the post and it went in. Again at 7:57 North Iowa scored with Tom Nelson (assist to Mike Skogland and Lionel Crump). There was just too much going on around the net. At 5:12 Paul Murphy scored a third goal for North Iowa (assist to Keith Anderson and Ben Johnson).

If we pulled Clemmensen in favor of Platt how on earth would that turn out - what with Jayme's injury and all. 15:19 into the game Fregoe scored (assist to Robertson and Jake Searles). It seemed like everything was going to be OK?? The Bucs than tied the game with a goal from Mike Hanson (assist to Robertson and Fregoe). They tied it 17:21 into the period and suddenly we had fire. But then lately it seems that the Bucs need that extra push to get them going. It was originally said that Adrian Fure and Erik Cole got the assists on that last goal, however it was corrected later.

The Bucs took the lead in the second period with a goal from Bobby Haglund at 2:02 (assist to Dave Boehm and Fure). It was quite a wonderful feeling. Know what? Matt Libby's not the only one that can act, Fure can act too. He got dumped behind the play and went sliding dramatically. The Huskie was not called for that one. Then at 13:46 Peter Cullen tripped Cole up at the blue line. Cole had been busy trying to recover the breakaway he'd let slip away. Cole and Cullen tumbled over each other as Cullen tripped him. Cullen went for holding and Cole went for roughing. I suppose that added push that Cole gave Cullen was the cause of the roughing call. On the last day of 1996, Pete Fregoe scored his hat trick from a great pass by Searles (assist to Searles and Fure). Of course Fure started the whole play and Searles ended up in the net. At eleven even the ref finally caught some of the stuff that had been going on earlier. Peter Cullen took down Cole again. The ref, though, had to ask the linesman just to make sure of the call.

During the second intermission I had been busy ogling over Brad Krueger's Chris Chelios autograph. Chelios had autographed his hat over the weekend when he was up in Chicago. Erik Cole 2:21 into the third period scored goal number six (assist to Mike Hanson). Cole celebrated from the ice where he'd fallen down. Clemmensen continued to be stellar in goal this period. Of course both teams had slowed down a bit too. At 11:04 Des Moines took a time out. Perhaps to pick up their game? It was under the ten minute mark and once again there wasn't much to talk about. The game was becoming defense oriented and everyone was holding back and waiting for the end. With 7:14 left Cole had a breakaway, but he hit the post. Nate DiCasmirro came skating out and with a quick shot and got a goal at 5:25 (assist to Peter Cullen and Mike Skogland). We were totally unprepared for that one. I was starting to accumulate yawns and it was still going to be a long night. With 38.6 seconds left Fregoe scored his fourth goal (assist to Sean Austin). Clemmensen had made a total of 36 saves for the game.

I'm devoting a fifth paragraph to the end festivities of the night as requested by Erik Strand. I might not have much to say in this paragraph, but at least I'm mentioning what happened afterwards (or some of it anyway). The annual skate with the Bucs on New Years eve was held afterwards. People pack onto the ice every year just to skate (If you can technically consider it skating, you just kind of stand there and move) until the celebration of the new year. The ice gets rutty, people fall on top of you, you can barely hear your own voice, and if you're lucky you get to talk to one of the players (only after you fight your way to them). The first crowd of autograph seekers washes by, then your next crowd of skaters washes by, until the end when the time on the scoreboard runs out and people pour off the ice to head their respective ways. The Bucs wear hats or lei's, and noise makers blast in your ears everywhere. It's always very fun, if you don't mind the headache afterwards. Written by Sarah Bendy.

Des Moines 7 - North Iowa 4

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