Travis Erstad’s hat trick propelled the host Lincoln Stars to a 5-4 come from behind win over the RoughRiders Friday night.

Erstad’s first goal of the night got the Stars on the scoreboard for the first time at 15:51 of the second period. Erstad’s blast from the right wing circle cut the Cedar Rapids lead to 3-1.

After Chris Wideman’s drive from the right point extended the Rider lead to 4-1 at 4:41 of the third period and Jason Gregoire scored the first of four unanswered Lincoln goals on the power play goal at 8:11, Erstad struck again to narrow the Rider lead to one.

Erstad’s tip in from the goalmouth cut the margin to 4-3.

The Stars then tied the score when Jared Festler buried a rebound at 14:55.

Erstad capped off the rally by completing his hat trick with what would prove to be the game winner at 17:19. Lincoln was on the power play when Erstad swept the puck in from a bad angle.

The evening had started so differently for the Riders, who jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead.

Vince Mihalek redirected a Chris Wideman shot past Lincoln starting goaltender Kevin Murdock to give the Riders a 1-0 lead 3:02 into the game

Tyler Thompson converted a Mike Seidel centering pass to double the lead at 12:23 of the first period.

The Riders were on the power play when Doug Jones widened the gap to 3-0 with a goal from the side of the net at 17:36 of the first.

Nick Hopper (12 saves) replaced Murdock (7 saves) after the first period and went on to claim the win in relief. At the other end Cedar Rapids netminder Brady Hjelle took the loss despite stopping 45 Stars shots.