Big Wins For Saints & Storm in USHL Conference Finals

It was opening night for both the 2016 Eastern and Western Conference Finals, and it proved to be big nights for the Saints and Storm.

The United States Hockey League Clark Cup Playoffs are down to four teams. Both best-of-five series faced off on Friday, April 29, 2016.

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Dubuque Fighting Saints hosted the Bloomington Thunder. Bloomington's Steve Merl opened the game with the only goal scored in the first period, but it was all Dubuque after that. The Fighting Saints exploded for four goals in the second and another three in the third. Keegan Ford led scoring for the Saints with four points (2 goals, 2 assists, +2). Dubuque's goalie Hunter Miska only gave up the on goal stonewalling the Thunder the rest of the night. Game 2 is set for tonight in Dubuque (7:05 PM, Mystique Ice Center).

The Tri-City Storm jumped out to a two goal lead in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The Waterloo Black Hawks fired 32 shots and Storm netminder Jake Kielly stopped every one. The Black Hawks pulled their goalie to try and even the score. The Storm scored two empty net goals to secure the 4-0 win. Carson Meyer, Nico Sturm, Dan Labowsky, and Walker Duehr each scored goals for Tri-City. Game 2 is Saturday in Tri-City (7:05 PM, Viaero Center, Kearney, NE).