URBANDALE, IA – The Tri-City Storm completed a two-game weekend sweep of the Des Moines Buccaneers Saturday night at Buccaneer Arena in a 4-2 victory. Dane Dowiak (2), August Falloon, and Daimon Gardner scored goals in the contest for the Storm. Patriks Bērziņš backstopped the team to victory, and improved to 8-1-0-0 on the season in net for Tri-City. The Storm extended its season-high eight-game winning streak, and nine-game point streak in the victory. Tri-City is now set to return home for five consecutive games at the Viaero Center, including two next weekend against the Sioux City Musketeers.
August Falloon scored his thirteenth goal of the season at 17:33 of Saturday’s 1st period to give Tri-City a one-goal lead on the road. Kieran Cebrian notched an assist on the scoring play. The Storm carried a 1-0 lead into Saturday’s middle period, despite being outshot 8-6 during the 1st period.
Dane Dowiak netted the lone goal of the 2nd period with under five minutes to play. The scoring play was Dowiak’s first of the game, and ninth of the season. The goal was netted at 15:08 of the 2nd period, and was scored on the powerplay. Trevor Connelly and Seth Constance each notched an assist on the play. The Storm outshot the Buccaneers 10-4 in the 2nd period, and the team carried a 2-0 lead into Saturday’s 3rd period.
Daimon Gardner netted his ninth goal of the year sixty-six seconds into the final period to increase Tri-City’s lead to three goals. Cale Ashcroft recorded an assist on the scoring play. Jak Vaarwerk scored his twelfth goal of the year at 11:57 of the final period to cut the Storm’s lead to 3-1. The goal was assisted by Owen West. Christian Kocsis scored his ninth goal of the season with under three minutes to play to bring the score to 3-2. Gustav Stjernberg notched an assist on the scoring play. The final goal of Saturday’s game was scored by Dane Dowiak into an empty net. The goal was netted at 19:38 of the 3rd period, and was Dowiak’s second of the night. Graham Gamache and Kieran Cebrian each recorded an assist on the play. Tri-City skated away with a 4-2 victory, and improved to 26-16-2-3 on the year. Des Moines outshot Tri-City 12-6 in the 3rd period, and 24-22 overall in the matchup.
Patriks Bērziņš notched the win in net for the Storm after making 22 saves on 24 shots. Max Lundgren dropped the game in goal for the Buccaneers after turning away 18 of Tri-City’s 21 shots on goal.
Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, March 17th, in a home game against the Sioux City Musketeers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization.