Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Herd fell to the Des Moines Buccaneers, 4-3, on after a scoreless opening frame and back-and-forth scoring throughout the final two periods. 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.
Des Moines eventually found the equalizer at 10:33 before taking the lead just 19 seconds later with its second goal of the night.
At 15:04,
Matthew Grimes was called for hooking, but the Herd penalty kill came up with another strong stop to keep the deficit at one heading into the third.
The third period opened with plenty of energy as the Herd appeared to find the back of the net early, but officials waved the goal off.
Moments later, at 1:37, McGraw struck again, burying a one-timer under the crossbar right off the faceoff to tie the game at 2-2.
Brock Schultz was credited with the assist.
At 3:31, Feldbergs was called for tripping after following through on a save, but Sioux Falls was able to kill off the penalty once again.
The Buccaneers regained the lead at 10:56, but the Herd responded once more.
At 12:50, Grimes took a high stick to the face, sending Sioux Falls back to the power play. This time,
Brent Solomon capitalized, firing home a one-timer from the right faceoff circle to even the game.
Joey Macrina and Zocco earned assists on the goal.
Des Moines answered with the game-winner at 17:04 and held the advantage for the remainder of the night.
At 17:44, Schultz was called for high-sticking and Becker Wenkus was called for roughing, resulting in four-on-four play late in the game.
Sioux Falls pulled Feldbergs once again in the closing minutes, but despite two empty-net opportunities for Des Moines, the Herd defense held strong and kept the game within reach until the final horn.
Feldbergs now holds a 32-12-2-0 record with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
The Herd returns to the Denny Sanford Premier Center on Friday for a two-game series against the Waterloo Black Hawks to close out the regular season. Friday is Fan Appreciation Night, and the first 500 fans will receive a full 2025-26 Stampede trading card set along with a scratch-off ticket for guaranteed prizes. Saturday is Kids Takeover Night, featuring family-friendly fun including balloons from Mr. Twister and face painting.
