General | 3/12/2026 9:53:57 PM

Des Moines Buccaneers vs. Lincoln Stars (5-1)

The Des Moines Buccaneers earned a 5–1 win over the Lincoln Stars. Ryan Seelinger recorded his 30th goal of the season and now also has 32 assists on the year, while Blake Zielinski, Riley Zupfer, and Owen Tylec also found the back of the net for Des Moines. Harper Searles sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in the game.

After the opening mention, the Buccaneers continued to generate offense throughout the night. Goaltender Alan Lendak delivered a strong performance in net, making 21 saves and allowing just one goal.

Lincoln’s lone tally came from KJ Sauer, who scored his first USHL goal in his first game with the Stars.

Three Stars

1st Star: Ryan Seelinger, F, Des Moines Buccaneers
1G, 2A

2nd Star: Blake Zielinski, F, Des Moines Buccaneers
1G, 2A

3rd Star: Riley Zupfer, F, Des Moines Buccaneers
1G, 1A

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and eight of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).