USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Weekly Update

Published on October 16, 2006 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release


THIS WEEK

Friday, October 20, 7:05PM @ Sioux Falls Arena

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Sioux Falls Stampede

Saturday, October 21, 7:05PM @ Cedar Rapids Ice Arena

Tri-City Storm vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

RECORDS

Cedar Rapids

2-1-0, 4 points, tied 2nd place East Division

Sioux Falls

0-4-0, 0 points, 6th place West Division

Tri-City

2-1-1, 5 points, 3rd place West Division

COMING IN

The RoughRiders swept a home-and-home series from the Chicago Steel last weekend, outscoring Chicago 16-5 in the process. The Riders set a club record for most goals in one game in a 10-3 rout of the Steel last Friday in Bensenville, Illinois and rolled to a 6-2 win on home ice one night later.

Last weekend marked the first time the Riders have totaled at least 16 goals over consecutive games since October of 2000. The Riders peppered Chicago goaltenders with 94 shots over the two games.

Jacob Cepis is tied for the league lead in goals (5) after notching a hat trick last Friday and adding another goal one night later. Cepis ranks second in the league in points (7).

The Riders are averaging six goals per game- tied for the most in the league. Including their final four preseason games, the Riders have now scored five or more goals in six of their last seven outings.

After winning the Anderson Cup (regular season title) last season, the Stampede has lost its first four games of this campaign. Last weekend Sioux Falls dropped a pair of road games, falling 6-2 at Omaha last Friday and suffering a 4-3 defeat last Saturday at Sioux City.

Zach Hansen (1-2-3) is the only Stampede player with more than two points. No Sioux Falls player has scored more than one goal.

Goaltender Matt Lundin (0-3-0) is still searching for his first win after joining the Stampede following a season at the University of Maine.

The Stampede has surrendered an average of five goals per game, third most in the league.

The Storm suffered a pair of one goal defeats last weekend. Tri-City earned one point for a 3-2 shootout loss to Des Moines last Friday and then fell to Lincoln 3-2 in regulation last Saturday.

Tri-City has neither scored nor given up more than three goals in a game this season.

Alex Hudson (1-2-3) is the only Storm player to have picked up more than two points. No Tri-City player has scored more than one goal.

Storm netminder Ian Keserich has given up a total of just three goals in his first two starts.

LAST WEEK

Cedar Rapids

Friday, October 13: Cedar Rapids 10 Chicago 3

Jacob Cepis had a hat trick and Cedar Rapids scored the game's final seven goals. Ten different Riders recorded at least two points.

Saturday, October 14: Cedar Rapids 6 Chicago 2

Aaron Bogosian's shorthanded goal with 30 seconds left in the first period snapped a 2-2 tie and triggered a run of four straight Rider goals. The Steel had rallied to tie the game after the Riders jumped out to a 2-0 lead on first minute goals from Andy Miele and Rob Bordson. The Riders threw 51 shots at Chicago goaltenders.

Sioux Falls

Friday, October 13: Omaha 6 Sioux Falls 2

The Stampede was unable to recover after falling behind 4-0. Robbie Vrolyk and Corey Tropp scored the Sioux Falls goals.

Saturday, October 14: Sioux City 4 Sioux Falls 3

The Stampede spotted Sioux City a 4-0 lead before battling back with third period goals from Zach Hansen, Bradley Malone and David Solway.

Tri-City

Friday, October 13: Des Moines 3 Tri-City 2 (SO)

The Storm was shutout 1-0 in the shootout after Calle Ridderwall and Jesse Martin scored in regulation for Tri-City.

Saturday, October 14: Lincoln 3 Tri-City 2

Goals from Patrick White and Jordan Van Guilder gave Tri-City a 2-0 lead, but Lincoln rallied for the win.

TOP POINT SCORERS

Cedar Rapids GP G A PTS

Jacob Cepis 3 5 2 7

Andy Miele 3 2 2 4

Rob Bordson 3 1 3 4

David Boehm 3 1 3 4

(three players tied with three points)

Sioux Falls GP G A PTS

Zach Hansen 4 1 2 3

Nick Dineen 4 1 1 2

Corey Tropp 4 1 1 2

(ten players tied with one point)

Tri-City GP G A PTS

Alex Hudson 4 1 2 3

(six players tied with two points)

LEADERS

Cedar Rapids

Goals- Jacob Cepis (5)

Assists- David Boehm, Rob Bordson, Tommy Wingels (3)

Points- Jacob Cepis (7)

Plus/Minus- Brett Dickinson (+6)

Penalty Minutes- Andy Miele (7)

Power Play Goals- David Boehm, Jacob Cepis, Brett Dickinson, Sergei Kolosov, Evan Stephens (1)

Shorthanded Goals- Aaron Bogosian (1)

Sioux Falls

Goals- (eight players tied with one goal)

Assists- Zach Hansen (2)

Points- Zach Hansen (3)

Plus/Minus- Nick Dineen, Zach Hansen (+2)

Penalty Minutes- Bradley Malone (15)

Power Play Goals- Jacob Drewiske, Erik Peterson, Corey Tropp (1)

Shorthanded Goals- none

Tri-City

Goals- (ten players tied with one goal)

Assists- Alex Hudson, Sean Wiles, Brett Wysopal (2)

Points- Alex Hudson (3)

Plus/Minus- Tristin Llewellyn, Brett Wysopal (+3) Penalty Minutes- Tristin Llewellyn (16)

Power Play Goals- Luke Lucyk, Michael Pilot, Andrew Sackrison (1)

Shorthanded Goals- none

GOALTENDERS

Cedar Rapids GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Pat McGann 2 119:59 2.50 1-1-0 0 .921

Kent Patterson 1 60 3.00 1-0-0 0 .900

Sioux Falls GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Jay Clark 1 60 7.00 0-1-0 0 .750

Matt Lundin 3 180 4.33 0-3-0 0 .870

Tri-City GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Ian Keserich 2 125 1.44 1-0-1 0 .914

Bryce Christianson 2 121:39 2.47 1-1-0 0 .886

WIN-LOSS

Cedar Rapids Sioux Falls Tri-City

Home: 1-1-0 Home: 0-2-0 Home: 0-1-1

Away: 1-0-0 Away: 0-2-0 Away: 2-0-0

vs. East: 2-1-0 vs. East: 0-0-0 vs. East: 0-0-0

vs. West: 0-0-0 vs. West: 0-4-0 vs. West: 2-1-1

GOALS

Cedar Rapids Sioux Falls Tri-City

Goals For: 6.00 Goals For: 2.00 Goals For: 2.50

Goals Against: 3.00 Goals Against: 5.00 Goals Against: 2.25

SPECIAL TEAMS

Cedar Rapids Sioux Falls

Power Play: 22.7 5/22 (5) Power Play: 13.6 3/22 (9)

Penalty Kill: 86.7 2/15 (4) Penalty Kill: 69.6 7/23 (11)

Shorthanded Goals For: 1 Shorthanded Goals For: 0

Shorthanded Goals Against: 1 Shorthanded Goals Against: 1

Tri-City

Power Play: 12.0 3/25 (10)

Penalty Kill: 79.2 5/24 (8)

Shorthanded Goals For: 0

Shorthanded Goals Against: 0

SERIES

vs. Sioux Falls

10/20/06 Cedar Rapids at Sioux Falls

11/3/06 Cedar Rapids at Sioux Falls

3/9/07 Sioux Falls at Cedar Rapids

3/10/07 Sioux Falls at Cedar Rapids

GP W-L-SOL PTS H A OPP REC OPP PTS

2005-06 5 0-4-1 1 0-2-0 0-2-1 5-0-0 10

All-Time 33 12-16-5 29 5-9-2 7-7-3 21-11-1 43

vs. Tri-City

10/21/06 Tri-City at Cedar Rapids

12/15/06 Cedar Rapids at Tri-City

12/16/06 Cedar Rapids at Tri-City

1/19/07 Tri-City at Cedar Rapids

GP W-L-SOL PTS H A OPP REC OPP PTS

2005-06 5 1-2-2 4 0-1-1 1-1-1 4-1-0 10

All-Time 27 12-12-3 27 6-5-2 6-7-1 15-10-2 32

Top Point Scorers/Season Series

Cedar Rapids vs. Sioux Falls (2005-06)

Cedar Rapids GP G A PTS

Jordan Pietrus 5 2 0 2

Chad Costello 5 2 0 2

Nik Sellers 5 0 2 2

Sioux Falls GP G A PTS

Andreas Nodl 4 3 2 5

Drew Akins 5 2 3 5

Casey Parenteau 5 2 3 5

Cedar Rapids vs. Tri-City (2005-06)

Cedar Rapids GP G A PTS

Chad Costello 5 1 3 4

Phil Axtell 4 0 3 3

Ted Purcell 5 0 3 3

Tri-City GP G A PTS

Jaroslav Markovic 4 2 2 4

(three players tied with three points)

Top Goaltenders/Season Series

Cedar Rapids vs. Sioux Falls (2005-06)

Cedar Rapids GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Alex Stalock 4 245:00 3.43 0-3-1 0 .897

Pat McGann 1 60 4.00 0-1-0 0 .882

Sioux Falls GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Alex Kangas 3 180:00 1.00 3-0-0 1 .965

John Murray 2 125:00 1.44 2-0-0 0 .957

Cedar Rapids vs. Tri-City (2005-06)

Cedar Rapids GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Alex Stalock 2 125:00 0.96 1-0-1 0 .979

Pat McGann 3 184:13 2.28 0-2-1 0 .929

Tri-City GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Aaron Rock 4 249:44 1.20 4-0-0 1 .943

Nick Hopper 1 59:07 3.04 0-1-0 0 .880

COACHES

Cedar Rapids

Mark Carlson, 8th year (220-160-38)

Mark Carlson has been the RoughRiders' coach since the team arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1999. In 2005-06 he led the Riders to their second straight East Division title.

He has also piloted the Riders to six straight winning seasons and six straight Clark Cup playoff berths. The Riders are one of just two USHL teams to have reached the postseason each of the last six years.

The Riders are the only team to have advanced at least as far as the Clark Cup semi-finals/East Division finals each of the last two springs and four of the last five years. On December 3, 2005 Carlson picked up his two hundredth career coaching win as the Riders defeated Omaha 2-1 in a shootout. Carlson's RoughRiders went 218-159-38 in his first seven seasons with the club. The high point of his tenure was leading the RoughRiders to the first Clark Cup (playoff) title in team history along with a share of the Anderson Cup regular season title and the East Division title in 2004-05. The Riders went 42-13-5 during the regular season- the best record in club history- and swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs before defeating Sioux City three games to two in the finals. For his efforts, Carlson was named the 2004-05 USHL Coach of the Year. Carlson, a native of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Lowell where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing. Also while at Lowell, Carlson skated in the highly competitive Hockey East conference as a forward on the River Hawks' hockey team. His on-ice talent was recognized even before he arrived in Lowell when he was taken in the 1987 National Hockey League draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After graduating from UML, Carlson spent one season as an assistant coach at Lawrenceville School before returning to Lowell to serve as an assistant to head coach Bruce Crowder. After helping the River Hawks to a berth in the 1996 NCAA tournament, Carlson spent another three seasons beside Crowder as an assistant at Northeastern University in Boston, where he also acted as recruiting coordinator. He earned a master's degree in education from N.U.

During his time at N.U. Carlson also acted as recruiting coordinator. Among those he recruited for the Huskies were Jim Fahey, who now skates for the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks, and Mike Ryan, who would later be the top draft pick of the NHL's Dallas Stars.

Sioux Falls

Kevin Hartzell, 8th year (238-100-12); 2nd year Sioux Falls (43-17-4)

Hartzell returned to the USHL coaching ranks last season to lead the Stampede to the Anderson Cup. Hartzell previously enjoyed a six year stint as head coach of the St. Paul Vulcans that ended in 1989. Hartzell guided the Vulcans to the Anderson and Clark Cup titles in 1983-84 and reached the Clark Cup finals a total of three times during his time behind the St. Paul bench.

As a player, Hartzell was a standout at the University of Minnesota, captaining the Gophers to the 1979 NCCA Championship. The St. Paul native also played for the Vulcans in 1977-78 before heading to the U of M.

Tri-City

Bliss Littler, 6th year (151-99-30); 4th year Tri-City (106-57-21)

This is Bliss Littler's fourth season as Tri-City coach and general manager. Littler has piloted to Storm to three straight playoff berths.

Littler directed the Storm to the league's best record in his first year in Kearney. For his efforts he was named 2003-04 USHL General Manager of the Year.

Littler arrived in central Nebraska after spending a season and a half as coach and general manager of the now defunct Topeka ScareCrows. The ScareCrows went 45-42-9 under Littler.

Prior to his tenure in Topeka, Littler had a highly successful seven year (1993-2000) run as coach of the Billings Bulls of the America West Hockey League. During Littler's time in Billings, the Bulls won five AWHL Borne Cup titles and went 251-104-30.

HISTORY

The Riders set a new team record for most goals in one game in last Friday's 10-3 win at Chicago. The Riders

have scored nine goals in a game three times, most recently on December 17, 2004 when they defeated the Des Moines Buccaneers 9-1 in Cedar Rapids.

The hat trick Jacob Cepis recorded last Friday night was the first for a RoughRider since Matt Vokes scored three goals in a 6-0 win over the Waterloo Black Hawks on January 15, 2005.

Last weekend marked the first time in six years the Riders have totaled at least 16 goals over consecutive games. The Riders put up a total of 17 goals while defeating Sioux Falls 8-1 on October 15, 2000 and downing Des Moines 9-3 on October 21, 2000.

Last season was the Riders' third straight 30-win campaign and also the fifth time in the last six years that the Riders have picked up at least 30 victories.

The Riders went 42-13-5 over the last two seasons combined. The Riders' road record was superior to their home record both last season season and in 2004-05.

The Riders are, along with the Omaha Lancers, one of just two teams who have reached the playoffs each of the last six years. As all 12 USHL teams will qualify for the postseason this year, that streak will be stretch to seven consecutive playoff berths in April.

The Riders are the only USHL team to advance at least as far as the division finals each of the last two years. Furthermore, Cedar Rapids is also the only team to reach the league's final four in four of the last five years. Only one team (Sioux City) has even reached the second round three times in the last five years.

The 2003-04 Anderson Cup title was the first in Storm history. The Storm also made the Clark Cup finals for the first- and so far only- time in 2004. Tri-City has reached the playoffs each of the last three seasons.

Sioux Falls last year won the Anderson Cup for the first time in club history and also reached the Clark Cup finals (where they fell to Des Moines three games to two) for the first time.

The Stampede also set a new team record for most wins in one season (43) in 2005-06.

The Stampede returned to the playoffs last spring after missing the postseason each of the prior three years.

Sioux Falls last season cracked the 35 win plateau for the fourth time in the club's seven year history. The Stampede had finished each of the prior three seasons below .500 after winning at least 35 games each of its first three seasons in the league.

ROUGHRIDER COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Cedar Rapids

Jacob Cepis (Bowling Green), David Grun (Minnesota-Duluth), Doug Jones (Princeton), Andy Miele (Miami of Ohio), Matt Tommassoni (Miami of Ohio), Kevin Wehrs (Minnesota), Tommy Wingels (Miami of Ohio)

ROUGHRIDER NHL DRAFT PICKS

Year Round Overall Team

Sergei Kolosov 2004 5th 151 Detroit

Pat McGann 2005 7th 223 Dallas

ROUGHRIDER ALUMNI

Division I GP G A PTS

Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State/sophomore) 2 1 1 2

Phil Axtell (Michigan Tech/freshman) 2 0 0 0

Casey Bickley (Army/senior) 2 0 1 1

James Brannigan (Colorado College/junior) 4 0 1 1

Jamie Carroll (Providence/senior) 2 0 0 0

Chad Costello (Northeastern/freshman) 2 0 1 1

Ray Eichenlaub (Miami of Ohio/sophomore) 4 1 3 4

Jon Grabarek (Wayne State/sophomore) 2 0 0 0

Jordy Hart (Merrimack/junior) 1 0 0 0

Bryan Horan (Providence/senior) 2 0 0 0

Tyler Howells (Michigan State/senior) 2 0 0 0

Ray Kaunisto (Northern Michigan/freshman) 4 0 0 0

Steven Kaunisto (Lake Superior State/freshman) 2 0 2 2

Billy Loupee (Miami of Ohio/sophomore) 1 0 0 0

Shane Lovdahl (Alaska-Anchorage/sophomore) 1 0 2 2

Alec Martinez (Miami of Ohio/sophomore) 4 1 1 2

Zach Miskovic (St. Lawrence/sophomore) 3 2 2 4

Brandon Naurato (Michigan/sophomore) 2 0 2 2

Matt Olinger (Wisconsin/senior) 4 0 0 0

Zach Pearson (Ferris State/senior) 2 2 1 3

Derek Peltier (Minnesota/junior) 3 0 0 0

Nate Perkovich (Lake Superior State/freshman) 2 1 0 1

Ted Purcell (Maine/freshman) 3 3 0 3

Nick Sellers (Lake Superior State/freshman) 2 1 1 2

Gary Steffes (Miami of Ohio/freshman) 4 1 0 1

David Strathman (Northeastern/freshman) 2 1 0 1

Brandon Svendsen (Bowling Green/sophomore) 2 0 2 2

Chase Watson (Providence/senior) 2 0 0 0

GP W-L-T GAA SV% SO

Joe Fallon (Vermont/junior) 3 2-0-1 0.97 .961 1

Bobby Goepfert (St. Cloud State/senior) 2 1-1-0 2.97 .893 0

Alex Stalock (Minnesota-Duluth/freshman) 2 1-0-1 2,88 .875 0

Dan Tormey (Minnesota State-Mankato/sophomore) 2 1-1-0 3.85 .860 0

Professional GP G A PTS +/-

P.J. Atherton (Johnstown/ECHL) 2 0 2 2 E

Dave Carpentier (New Mexico/CHL) 1 0 0 0 E

Mike Manley (Trenton/ECHL) 2 1 2 3 +1

Dave Moss (Omaha/AHL) 3 3 2 5 -

Danny O'Brien (Fresno/ECHL) 2 0 2 2 E

GP G A PTS +/-

Alexander Valentin (Kalamazoo/UHL) 2 0 2 2 E

UPCOMING EVENTS

Courtesy of Marvel Comics, Wolverine of the X-Men will bring his super powers to the ice arena as the RoughRiders meet Tri-City Saturday. After the game, season ticket holders will have the chance to take to the ice themselves and skate with the RoughRiders.

Saturday, October 28, is '80's Night at the ice arena. So break out your leather tie or leg warmers- and most importantly, don't forget your mullet- when the Riders collide with Des Moines at 7:05PM.

COMMUNITY

RoughRiders players will read to students at Bowman Woods, Indian Creek, Wilkins, and Oak Ridge Elementary Schools this Thursday as part of America Reads Day.

RoughRiders will also skate with children from the Boys & Girls Club from 6:30 to 8:30 Thursday evening at the ice arena.

TICKETS

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) by investing in bulk tickets and can still enjoy the games of their choice in the seats they want.

Single game tickets are now on sale. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or on line 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.

ON THE AIR/ON LINE

RoughRiders regular season and playoff games will again this season be broadcast on AM-1360 The Fan in Cedar Rapids. Courtesy of B2 Networks, free audio webcasts of Riders games will also be available at www.roughridershockey.com. Brian Lavelle provides play-by-play.

The RoughRiders and B2 have also teamed up to 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 watch and listen to the game. 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.

Real time updates of all USHL games are available on line at www.pointstreak.com/prostats.

Check out the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from October 16, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central