DUBUQUE FIGHTING SAINTS:  The Under-18 Team kicks off the USHL regular season with a pair of contests at the USHL Fall Classic in Cranberry, Pa., this weekend, the first against division rival Dubuque.

After dropping their first preseason contest, the Fighting Saints won three in a row to close out the exhibition slate.

Slovakian forward Juraj Pekarcik paced Dubuque with a trio of goals in three games played, and added a pair of helpers to tie him for the preseason team lead with five points. Forwards Josh Giuliani and Erik Pahlsson both recorded two goals and three assists for five preseason points.

Kevin Reidler played two games in net for Dubuque, winning both, with a 1.49 GAA and .938 save percentage. Thatcher Bernstein and Luke Marsalek both made a start, additionally. 

The U18s and Fighting Saints have a short season series this year. After this weekend's games, the only other matchups will be March 29-30 in Iowa. 

OMAHA LANCERS: The U18s close out the USHL Fall Classic with a matchup against the Omaha Lancers on Sunday afternoon.

The Lancers played in a USHL-high five preseason games over the last two weeks, earning a win over Tri-City in their final game after falling in the first four.

Omaha had a pair of skaters register multiple points throughout the exhibition slate. Jamison Sluys recorded a team-high three goals, two assists and five points while Ethan Fredericks added two goals for the Lancers. 

Chase Cheslock, who skated in a pair of games with Team USA last season, produced six shots in the preseason, the most of any Lancers defenseman.

In the cage, Omaha split their time between Jack Olson and Croix Kochendorfer. Olson produced a stellar 1.59 GAA and .946 SV% in three appearances while Kochendorfer earned the team's lone win, to pair with a 3.28 GAA and .854 SV%.

The U18s and Lancers will only meet for one more series during the season, as Team USA travels to the Cornhusker State for a pair of games on December 1-2.