Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Sioux Falls Fighting Wiener Dogs defeated the Des Moines Buccaneers 4-1 tonight in a physical and high-energy matchup. The Dogs saw goals from Joseph McGraw, Ryder Betzold, Logan Renkowski, and Cooper Soller. Linards Feldbergs stood tall between the pipes, making several key saves to keep the Buccaneers at bay and secure the victory.

The first period began relatively calm before the pace picked up at 4:14. Joseph McGraw opened the scoring, tucking the puck in at the crease off an assist from Thomas Holtby. The goal was challenged by Des Moines, but it stood after review, costing the Buccaneers their timeout.

At 5:49, tensions escalated as Wade Weil and Cade De St. Hubert dropped the gloves. After officials separated the two, both players were assessed double minors for roughing along with 10-minute misconducts.

Des Moines responded shortly after with a goal of their own to tie the game, but the tie did not last long. At 8:40, Ryder Betzold regained the lead for the Dogs, lifting the puck over the goaltender's pad from a sharp angle near the left goal line. Tobias Ohman earned the assist.

The Dogs added another at 11:49 to take a 3-1 lead into the intermission. Logan Renkowski capitalized when the goaltender left the near side open, burying the puck into the back of the net.

The second period featured no scoring but plenty of penalties and physical play. Just seven seconds into the frame, Thomas Holtby dropped the gloves with Jason Davenport. During the altercation, officials became entangled in the scrum, resulting in a five-minute major and a 10-minute misconduct for Holtby. The Buccaneers were awarded a five-minute power play, but the Dogs successfully killed it off behind strong goaltending from Feldbergs.
The intensity continued throughout the period with scrums after nearly every whistle. Des Moines was called for hooking at 9:31 and later received a 10-minute misconduct. At 15:07, the Buccaneers were penalized for interference and then high-sticking, briefly giving Sioux Falls a 5-on-3 advantage. However, Joey Macrina's high-sticking penalty cut the power play short. A boarding penalty to Des Moines at 18:07 closed out a penalty-heavy second period with no change in score.

The third period was the least eventful of the night. Both teams generated quality chances but tightened defensively. JJ Monteiro was called for hooking at 7:48, and just after that penalty expired, Brent Solomon was whistled for holding, putting Sioux Falls back on the penalty kill. The Dogs remained strong defensively and maintained their lead.

With just 0.7 seconds remaining, Cooper Soller sealed the win with an empty-net goal to secure the 4-1 victory.

Linards Feldbergs finished the night with 28 saves on 29 shots. He now holds a 24-9-1-0 record with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.

The Fighting Wiener Dogs return to action as the Stampede tomorrow night when they face the Fargo Force for Country Night, presented by Dakota First National Bank. The first 500 fans will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a signed guitar and Riley Green concert tickets.