Herd falls in back-and-forth Battle to Buccaneers

Sioux Falls saw goals from Joe McGraw (2) and Brent Solomon , while Linards Feldbergs stood tall between the pipes against a fiery Buccaneers lineup. The first period remained scoreless as both teams generated quality chances but were unable to capitalize despite multiple power-play opportunities. The Buccaneers took the first penalty of the night at 1:30 for holding, giving the Herd an early man advantage.

Sioux Falls created some strong looks but could not convert. At 8:04, Markus Jakobesen was called for hooking. The Buccaneers were later sent to the box again at 14:43 for tripping.

Jack Brauti took the final penalty for the Herd in the opening frame at 17:33 for hooking. Then at 19:46, Sioux Falls pulled Feldbergs in an effort to gain the extra attacker late in the period, but just as he reached the bench, the Buccaneers were called for another hooking penalty that carried over into the second. The Herd wasted no time capitalizing in the second frame.

Just 1:37 into the second period, Joe McGraw opened the scoring after taking the puck from behind the goal line and banking it in off the Buccaneers goaltender. Thomas Zocco and Brent Solomon were credited with the assists. After the goal, both teams continued to generate quality chances, but the goaltenders held strong through much of the period.