Dubuque's Reidler Embracing Moment As Pressure Mounts

Kevin Reidler has the Dubuque Fighting Saints on the doorstep of their first Clark Cup championship since the 2012–13 season. The Ottawa Senators draft pick faces his next challenge, the Anderson Cup Trophy-winning Fargo Force.

Kevin Reidler has the Dubuque Fighting Saints on the brink of their first Clark Cup championship since the 2012–13 season. 

The Ottawa Senators draft pick has been arguably the best goaltender in the USHL playoffs, winning six out of seven games, three of which were shutouts. Reidler boasts an impressive 1.23 goals-against average and a 0.951 save percentage.

But it wasn't an easy journey for the 19-year-old. Around the holiday break, Reidler was struggling with his game and conceded four or more goals in four out of nine games. After representing his native Sweden in the 2024 World Juniors, the young goaltender knew he needed to refine his game. That's when everything changed.

"I wanted to (make) some adjustments," Reidler told The Hockey News. "For me, it was both mental and technical. A lot of it was managing the mental part of the game. The technical aspect was to try to play a little tighter, make sure I don't overwork, and just make sure that I can stay focused and dialed in throughout the whole game."

The changes proved to be fruitful as Reidler enjoyed a two-month stretch of stellar play in net leading up to the playoffs. In the final 15 regular season games, he compiled a 12-0-1-2 record, with a 3.00 goals-against average, a 0.903 save percentage, and two shutouts.

Reidler's hot streak continued into the playoffs, where he was instrumental in the Fighting Saints' 6-1 record leading up to the Clark Cup Finals. His 1.23 goals-against average, 0.951 save percentage, and three shutouts were the best among USHL goalies in the playoffs.

Despite the pressure mounting, Reidler seemed to thrive on the challenge. 

"These are the types of situations we play for and that we work hard for," he said. "Looking back to all the work that I've put in throughout my career, all the teams I've played for, all the good coaches that have helped me throughout these situations, when you have that in your back pocket, it's easy to try to go out there and enjoy it."

Dubuque head coach Kirk MacDonald has been impressed with Reidler's progression and development as an elite goaltender in the league.

"He's been awesome," MacDonald said. "He's built up a lot of confidence, and he's just been rolling with it, especially since Game 1 of the playoffs, just outstanding effort."

Now, Reidler and the Fighting Saints will face the Fargo Force in the Clark Cup Finals after an eight-day break. Reidler saw Fargo twice during the regular season, turning aside 31 of 34 in a 4-0 defeat in mid-October. He picked up the win in November's rematch, allowing three goals on 36 shots.

Reidler will need to step up his game again to help Dubuque capture its first championship since 2013 and sixth in franchise history.

"They're a good team," the Fighting Saints goaltender said of Fargo. "They made the finals, and so did we. It's going to be a hard-fought battle out there, and I think we're really positive going into the series."

Reidler will also be up against Fargo goaltender Hampton Slukynsky, who was perhaps the best goaltender during the regular season.

"I've seen some of his numbers, and he's had a good season," Reidler said of his counterpart. "It's always fun to see other goalies do well, but when it comes to this point of the season, it's all about beating him."