This Weekend
Friday, February 7, 7:05PM
Firstier Event Center, Kearney, Nebraska
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Tri-City Storm
Saturday, February 8, 7:05PM
Firstier Event Center, Kearney, Nebraska
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Tri-City Storm
Recent Action
Friday, February 1
Ohio 4 Cedar Rapids 3
Saturday, February 2
Ohio 6 Cedar Rapids 3
At a Glance
Cedar Rapids
23-13-1, 47 points
2nd place East Division
Coach/GM: Mark Carlson
Tri-City
16-19-2, 34 points
5th place West Division
Coach/GM: Bliss Littler
Headlines
Reversal of Fortune: The RoughRiders have suffered three straight losses- all at the hands of the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets. This marks just the second time this season that the Riders have suffered three consecutive defeats. Prior to this trio of setbacks at the hands of the Blue Jackets, the Riders had won their first 15 regular season and playoff meetings with Ohio. The Blue Jackets entered the USHL as an expansion team last season.
Not So Great Eight: The RoughRiders have gone 2-6-0 in their last eight games.
Streak Stopped: Defenseman Matt Donovan’s eight game point scoring streak (6-3-9) ended last Saturday in Columbus. Donovan has scored six goals in his last eight games and has collected 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his last 13 games. He remains the league leader in plus/minus rating (+21) and is tied for second among USHL defensemen in goals (9).
Jonesing: Doug Jones (10-26-36) is the Riders’ leader in points and assists and is tied for fifth in the league in assists. Jones is currently riding a five-game point-scoring streak (1-4-5).
Defense Dented: The RoughRiders have given up 14 goals in their last three games- the most they have surrendered in a three game stretch this season. The Riders rank second in the league defensively, allowing an average of 2.6 goals per game.
Flying Rubber: The RoughRiders last Saturday set team season highs for most shots on goal in one game (50) and in one period (22 in the third period).
Taking It to Extremes: The RoughRiders remain the league leaders in power play efficiency (20.4 percent) but now rank last in penalty killing (80.7 percent) after surrendering a Rider record-tying four power play goals last Saturday against Ohio.
Alumni Spotlight: Michigan State junior Justin Abdelkader (2004-05) scored two goals and added an assist in the sixth-ranked Spartans’ 5-4 overtime loss to Nebraska-Omaha last Friday night in East Lansing. Abdelkader (13-12-25) is tied for second on the team in goal scoring. A second round draft pick of the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings in 2005, Abdelkader last year scored the winning goal in the national championship game for MSU.
Scouting Report
Tri-City: The Storm split a pair of games in Green Bay last weekend, defeating the Gamblers 3-2 last Friday before falling 4-3 one night later…Mike Cichy (8-21-29) is Tri-City’s top point scorer; Jordan Willert (17-8-25) leads the Storm in goals and ranks ninth in the league…Tri-City ranks ninth in the league in goal scoring (2.7 per game) but does lead the league in shorthanded goals (11)…The Storm has scored three goals or fewer in each of its last eight games…Tri-City forward Mario Lamoureux is in his fourth year in the USHL. Lamoureux has played 213 games and recorded 40 goals and 111 points since joining the Storm in 2004…Pierre-Paul Lamoureux- Mario’s brother- ranks third in the league in penalty minutes (148)…Chris Hickey (12-7-19) has scored in each of his last four games and has recorded at least one point in each of his last five (4-2-6)…Goaltender Aaron Rock has lost five straight starts and is winless (0-5-1) in his last six games…The Riders defeated Tri-City 2-1 on November 17 in the first meeting of the season between the two clubs. All-time they have gone 13-15-4 against the Storm and have posted a 6-8-2 record in Kearney.
Promotions
Free RoughRiders Viewing Party at Jersey’s Pub and Grub: The RoughRiders have teamed up with Jersey’s Pub and Grub and B2 Networks to offer fans the chance to watch this Saturday’s game between the Riders and Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Nebraska free of charge at Jersey’s. Fans can catch all the live action starting at 7:00PM. This viewing party offers Riders fans the chance to enjoy all the action in the company of their fellow fans amid what is sure to be a fun filled atmosphere. Jersey’s Pub and Grub is located at 5761 C Street SW.
Dora the Explorer: Dora the Explorer will appear at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena during the RoughRiders’ Saturday, February 16 game against the Omaha Lancers. Dora the Explorer is an animated children’s television series starring a 7-year old Latina girl and her friends. Dora the Explorer teaches children how to observe situations and solve problems as they explore Dora’s world with her.
Watch/Listen
That’s The Ticket!: RoughRiders single game tickets can be purchased in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or online at www.roughridershockey.com. The ticket office is open from noon to 5:00PM on weekdays and from noon through the end of the second period on game days. Ticket prices range from $7 to $17 in advance and from $8 to $18 on game days.
Be Flexible: The RoughRiders are again this season offering the Flex Plan, which enables fans to purchase books of ten ticket vouchers that can be redeemed in any quantity for any regular season home game during normal box office hours. Fans who purchase the flex plan receive a significant discount ($21 off game day ticket prices) and can still enjoy the games of their choice in the seats they want.
On the Air: All RoughRiders regular season and playoff games are broadcast on AM-1360 The Fan in Cedar Rapids. Brian Lavelle provides play-by-play.
Catch the Coach: Catch up on all the latest Rider news with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders’ Coach’s Show with Mark Carlson Wednesday nights at 6:00 on AM-1360 The Fan. The half hour show is broadcast live from Union Station on 16th Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids. RoughRiders Coach and General Manager Mark Carlson and RoughRiders radio broadcaster Brian Lavelle are joined by Riders players on each edition of the Coach’s Show.
Online: Courtesy of B2 Networks, free audio webcasts of Riders games are available at www.roughridershockey.com. The RoughRiders and B2 also offer pay-per-view video webcasts of all RoughRiders games. Fans can click on the “Watch RoughRiders’ Games Live” icon at www.roughridershockey.com to catch the action. The broadcast is available to fans with a high speed DSL or cable modem internet connection. The charge for video webcasts is $6 per game. B2 will also provide a pay-per-view webcast of tonight’s USHL Prospects/All-Star Game in Green Bay starting at 7:00. RoughRiders’ broadcaster Brian Lavelle will provide the play-by-play call of the all-star action.