Friday, September 7, 2012

SAINTS TOP JANESVILLE 4-1 IN BACKWARDS GAME

Press Release

DUBUQUE, IA--Frankie DiChiara and Mike Szmatula each scored a pair of goals as the Dubuque Fighting Saints made hockey history Thursday night with the Backwards Game, becoming the first team to play an entire game of hockey, backwards, finish to start. Dubuque topped the Janesville Jets of the NAHL 4-1 in a controlled scrimmage at Mystique Community Ice Center in the first preseason action of the 2012-13 season.

The Backwards Game saw Thursday’s contest flipped, as the game started with a shootout, then proceeded to overtime, with the third period, second period, and first period following. After a shootout and a scoreless overtime period, DiChiara scored the first goal of the game for the Fighting Saints with three minutes gone in the third period. Dubuque gained the puck on a turnover at the blueline and DiChiara hustled up ice behind the Janesville defense and was found all alone with a beautiful stretch pass. DiChiara walked in, made a shoulder fake and roofed a backhand over the glove of Janesville goalie Brock Kautz to put the Saints in front.

DiChiara tallied his second goal of the game later in the third period when he found himself alone in the slot. As Dubuque worked the puck around, DiChiara accepted a pass, and fired a low, seeing-eye shot on Kautz’s stick-side to give the Fighting Saints a 2-0 lead.

Mike Szmatula added a pair of goals of his own for the Fighting Saints including the third goal in the third period for Dubuque. With only 18 seconds remaining in the frame, the Fighting Saints found themselves on a 2-on-none with breaking into the Janesville zone when the puck was pushed ahead to Szmatula who slid a backhander between the legs of Kautz.

Szmatula would add another breakaway goal eleven minutes into the second period. Jarrid Privitera setup the goal, moving the puck forward to Szmatula while taking a high stick to the face. Szmatula walked in and roofed a shot off the crossbar and in over Kautz’s glove to give Dubuque a 4-0 lead.

Arthur Brey played the entire game in goal for Dubuque and stopped 16 of 17 shots to earn the win. The only puck that beat Brey was on a powerplay in the first period on a deflection from Janesville’s Conner Burton. Dubuque outshot Janesville 43-17 on the night.

In addition to playing the game backwards, the Fighting Saints also had intermission contests and in-arena activity backwards. The night started with the two teams shaking hands and the “Three Stars of the Game,” and ended with the starting lineups and pregame show.

In-game promotions include the fans participating in a backwards wave, where the crowd stood up, threw their arms into the air, and then took their seat. A fan was also downgraded to the “Worst Seat in the House,” located in the lobby, facing the wall in a corner. The “Breakup Cam,” also took the place of the “Kiss Cam.” As the night started the referees even got in on the act, taking the ice skating backwards.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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