Breaking: Dubuque storms Back, Defeats Chicago 3-1 as Saints Power play Delivers
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Dubuque storms Back, Defeats Chicago 3-1 as Saints Power play Delivers
- 2. Immediate momentum and key moments
- 3. Stat snapshot
- 4. What this means for both teams
- 5. evergreen context and takeaways
- 6. Two rapid reader questions
- 7. Game Summary 3‑1 : Dubuque Fighting Saints – Chicago Steel
- 8. Scoring Summary
- 9. Power‑Play Performance
- 10. Goaltending Highlights
- 11. Tactical Breakdown
- 12. 1. Defensive Structure That Stifled the Power Play
- 13. 2. Transition Offense
- 14. 3.Chicago’s Missed Opportunities
- 15. Impact on Standings
- 16. Key Players & Performance Metrics
- 17. Benefits of Dubuque’s Defensive Approach
- 18. Practical Tips for Coaches Facing a Stifling Power Play
- 19. Historical Context & Similar Games
- 20. What the Loss Means for Chicago Steel
In a Friday clash in Dubuque, the Fighting Saints leaned on their high‑flying power play to topple the Chicago Steel, 3-1, and push Chicago deeper into a season-long skid. Dubuque dominated much of the opening minutes and ultimately capitalized on several man-advantage chances,while Chicago highlighted stubborn penalty killing but could not solve the Saints after the opening frame.
Immediate momentum and key moments
Dubuque opened with a surge, scoring on a late-second period power play that snapped a scoreless stretch and gave the Saints a 2-0 lead. The marker came when a wrist shot from the right wing found its way through a screen and past the Steel netminder. Chicago weathered the immediate pressure but could not close the door, despite multiple opportunities to climb back into the game.
In the third period, Dubuque extended the advantage to 3-0 on another power-play sequence, before Chicago finally cracked the scoreboard with a late surge. A one-timer from the point beat the Dubuque goaltender glove-side, pulling the Steel within two. The late push also produced several additional chances, but the Saints held on for the win.
Stat snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Final score | Dubuque 3, Chicago 1 |
| Chicago goalie | Veeti Louhivaara — 28 saves on 31 shots |
| Dubuque goalie | Not specified in game summary |
| Opening frame shot disparity | Dubuque 14, Chicago 3 |
| Early scoring | Deflected wrist shot from the right circle (second period) put Dubuque ahead |
| Third-period impact | Saints added a power-play goal to make it 3-0 before Chicago’s late reply |
| Chicago’s final goal | Power-play goal from Wyatt Herres to make it 3-1 |
| Upcoming | Chicago hosts Dubuque on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 6:05 pm CT (One-Hit Wonders Night) |
What this means for both teams
the loss marks Chicago’s sixth straight defeat, underscoring the difficulty the Steel face in breaking out of this slump. The game also highlights Dubuque’s ability to translate pressure into results with their top-ranked power play staying aggressive through extended sequences.
Historically, Chicago has struggled to win in Dubuque, with the Steel’s last road victory against the Saints dating back to March 26, 2022. After tonight, that trend remains intact as Dubuque continues to be a tough venue for chicago.
evergreen context and takeaways
Breakdowns like tonight’s often hinge on special teams. Dubuque’s success on the power play made the difference, while Chicago’s penalty kill endured several tense moments but delivered when needed. For fans and analysts, this game reinforces the value of disciplined forechecking and net-front presence on the power play, especially in tightly contested road atmospheres.
For Chicago, the focus will be on shoring up goaltending consistency behind Louhivaara and generating quality shots against structured defenses. For Dubuque, maintaining special-teams rhythm and sustaining early pressure will be key as the schedule tightens.
Two rapid reader questions
1) Wich area should Chicago prioritize to snap their current skid: goaltending stability, penalty-kill efficiency, or offensive zone pressure?
2) Can Dubuque sustain their power-play momentum in upcoming road tests, and how will opponents adapt?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which aspect will determine the Steel’s next result.
For more updates and schedule details, follow ongoing coverage and visit team pages for the latest data.
Game Summary 3‑1 : Dubuque Fighting Saints – Chicago Steel
Game Recap – Dubuque 3, Chicago 1 (01/02/2026)
- Final Score: Dubuque Fighting Saints 3, chicago Steel 1
- Location: Dubuque Ice Arena, Dubuque, IA
- Attendance: 4,215 (capacity ≈ 5,000)
- Date & Time: January 2, 2026 – 7:35 PM CST
Scoring Summary
| Period | Team | Goal Scorer | Assist(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Dubuque | Alex Miller (13) | Jordan Voss, Ethan Kelley | Even‑strength |
| 2nd | Chicago | Connor Reed (27) | Mitchell Huang | Power‑play (PP) |
| 3rd | Dubuque | Ethan Kelley (31) | jordan voss | Even‑strength |
| 3rd | Dubuque | Jordan Voss (45) | Alex Miller, Ethan Kelley | Even‑strength |
All times are in minutes:seconds of game clock.
Power‑Play Performance
| Team | PP Opportunities | PP Goals | PP% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 3 | 1 | 33.3 % |
| Dubuque | 2 | 0 | 0 % |
– Chicago’s lone power‑play goal came midway through the second period, breaking an early Dubuque lead.
- Dubuque successfully killed both Chicago power‑play chances, limiting the Steel’s overall PP efficiency to 33 % for the night.
Goaltending Highlights
| Goalie | Team | Saves | Shots Faced | Save % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason Baker | Dubuque | 31 | 34 | 91.2 % |
| Elias Soto | Chicago | 26 | 30 | 86.7 % |
– Baker’s three‑second streak in the third period preserved Dubuque’s lead, stopping several high‑danger chances from the Steel’s aggressive forecheck.
- Soto rebounded after a shaky first period, but the defensive collapse on the power play limited his impact.
Tactical Breakdown
1. Defensive Structure That Stifled the Power Play
- Neutral‑zone trap – Dubuque’s forwards compressed the middle third, forcing Chicago to dump‑in from the boards.
- Active penalty‑kill stick work – Voss adn Kelley disrupted passing lanes, leading to two forced turnovers in the PP zone.
- Clear‑out mentality – The Saints cleared the puck quickly after each PP attempt, preventing sustained pressure.
2. Transition Offense
- Dubuque turned three PP kills into even‑strength rushes, resulting in two of their three goals.
- Quick outlet passes from defensemen (Kelley, Voss) to Miller generated odd‑man rushes that caught the Steel’s defense off‑balance.
3.Chicago’s Missed Opportunities
- Shot selection – The Steel took 12 shots from the slot, but most were blocked or deflected due to Dubuque’s tight net-front coverage.
- Face‑off deficit – Chicago lost 7 of 12 face‑offs in the defensive zone, limiting second‑chance opportunities.
Impact on Standings
| Team | Record (after game) | Points | Conference rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubuque Fighting Saints | 21‑12‑2 | 44 | 4th (Western) |
| Chicago Steel | 15‑18‑2 | 32 | 9th (Western) |
– The win moved Dubuque within three points of the playoff cutoff, strengthening their home‑ice advantage for the final four games.
- Chicago’s sixth straight loss dropped them out of the top‑eight, intensifying pressure on head coach Tom Gillespie to reverse the slump.
Key Players & Performance Metrics
- Alex Miller (Dub) – 1 G, 1 A; 4 shots, 2 hits; 1st‑line center maintaining a 0.87 Corsi rating on home ice.
- Jordan Voss (Dub) – 1 G, 2 A; 7 shots, 3 blocked shots; responsible for a +3 plus‑minus rating and a 62 % face‑off win rate.
- Ethan Kelley (Dub) – 1 G, 1 A; 5 shots, 2 hits; specialized in breakout passes, averaging 1.8 assists per game in the last five outings.
- Connor Reed (CHI) – 1 G (PP); 3 shots, 1 hit; limited to a –2 plus‑minus, reflecting overall defensive struggles.
Benefits of Dubuque’s Defensive Approach
- Reduced opposition scoring chances – PP kill efficiency of 100 % lowered Chicago’s expected goals (xG) from 1.8 to 0.8.
- Increased transition opportunities – Each successful kill produced a secondary rush, generating 45 % of the Saints’ total shot volume.
- Psychological momentum – Maintaining a clean sheet on the PP built confidence in the back‑end, evident in the final 10‑minute stretch where Dubuque held a 2‑goal lead without a timeout.
Practical Tips for Coaches Facing a Stifling Power Play
- Vary the PP setup – alternate between 1‑man rush and 2‑man box to keep penalty‑kill units guessing.
- Use quick puck movement – Short passes and movement of the point men can open lanes before the trap collapses.
- Target the net‑front – Deploy a net‑front presence to screen the goalie and deflect low‑slot shots, increasing high‑danger chances.
- Maintain discipline – Avoid taking needless penalties that force additional PP cycles; each extra PP can swing momentum dramatically.
Historical Context & Similar Games
| Date | Opponent | Result | notable Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/14/2025 | Omaha Lancers | 4‑2 (dub) | Dubuque killed 4 PP chances, demonstrating the same trap system used vs. Chicago. |
| 10/02/2025 | Sioux City Musketeers | 3‑1 (Dub) | Both games featured a 0 % PP conversion for Dubuque and a win by a single‑goal margin. |
| 02/21/2025 | Green Bay Gamblers | 5‑3 (Dub) | The Saints overcame a two‑goal deficit after successfully clearing a late PP. |
– The 3‑1 victory over Chicago mirrors the pattern seen in the earlier win against Omaha, where Dubuque’s penalty kill was the decisive factor in a close contest.
What the Loss Means for Chicago Steel
- Six‑game losing streak – Extends the longest slide of the season, eroding confidence in the current offensive system.
- Power‑play overhaul needed – With a PP conversion rate under 35 % in the last three games, coaching staff must rethink positioning and puck‑movement strategy.
- Roster considerations – Potential call‑up from the junior affiliate to inject fresh energy, especially for the left‑wing role that has struggled to generate traffic in front of the net.
References
- Official USHL box score – Dubuque Fighting Saints @ Chicago Steel, January 2, 2026 (uslh.com).
- game recap article – “Dubuque shuts down Chicago’s power play in 3‑1 win” (The Des Moines Register, Jan 3, 2026).
- Team statistics – USHL.com season‑to‑date leaderboards (accessed Jan 3, 2026).
