USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Weekly Update

February 19, 2007 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release


THIS WEEK

Wednesday, February 21, 7:05PM @ Cedar Rapids Ice Arena

Indiana Ice vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Saturday, February 24, 7:05PM @ Tyson Events Center

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Sioux City Musketeers

RECORDS

Cedar Rapids

26-14-2, 54 points, 2nd place East Division

Indiana

20-15-5, 45 points, 3rd place East Division

Sioux City

26-12-3, 55 points, tied 1st place West Division

COMING IN

The RoughRiders split a pair of home games last weekend. The Riders fell to the Des Moines Buccaneers 4-2 last Friday and then claimed a 5-4 shootout win over the Omaha Lancers one night later.

The Riders trail the Waterloo Black Hawks by just one point in the race for first place in the United States Hockey League's East Division. The Black Hawks have two games in hand on the Riders.

The Riders are the top scoring team in the USHL. Cedar Rapids averages four goals per game.

Jacob Cepis (27-29-56) remains the league leader in goals and is tied for the lead in points.

The Ice was outscored 13-3 while being swept by the Stampede in Sioux Falls last weekend. Indiana was thumped 11-3 last Friday and shut out 2-0 last Saturday.

Last Friday's loss was the Ice's most lopsided defeat since moving to Indianapolis from Danville prior to the 2004-05 season. Indiana also set a club record for most goals allowed in one game Friday.

The Ice is five games over .500 despite having been outscored 139-127 this season.

Garret Roe (20-29-49) and John Kemp (11-35-46) lead the Indiana attack. Roe ranks seventh in the league in point scoring and is tied for seventh in goals. Kemp ranks fourth in assists and is tied for tenth in points.

Indiana is the most penalized team in the USHL. Ice players spend an average of 32.6 minutes per game in the box.

The Musketeers have won four straight games and are now in first place overall in the USHL, one point ahead of Waterloo. Sioux City leads the West Division by two points over Omaha.

The Musketeers defeated Waterloo 6-3 last Friday at Young Arena and shut out Tri-City 3-0 last Saturday.

The Musketeers rank fourth in the league in both goals scored (3.9 per game) and goals allowed (2.9 per game).

Sioux City boasts the league's second best penalty kill, having survived 85.6 percent of opponents' power plays this season.

The Musketeers' Phil DeSimone (17-38-55) leads the league in assists and ranks third in points. Along with Max Pacioretty (19-27-46), Dustin Gazely (22-19-41) and Blake Martin (20-21-41), DeSimone is one of four Musketeers who have topped forty points this season.

Sioux City goaltender Jerry Kuhn leads the league in save percentage (.926) and is tied for second in wins (19) and shutouts (3).

The Musketeers host Sioux Falls Saturday night.

LAST WEEK

Cedar Rapids

Friday, February 16: Des Moines 4 Cedar Rapids 2

The Riders were unable to recover after falling behind 3-1 in the first period. Robin Bergman scored both Cedar Rapids goals on the power play.

Saturday, February 17: Cedar Rapids 4 Omaha Lancers 3 (SO)

Tommy Wingels scored the only goal of the shootout after also scoring in regulation while Cedar Rapids goaltender Richard Bachman stopped all five Omaha penalty shots after making 37 saves in regulation and overtime. Aaron Bogosian and Evan Stephens also scored for the Riders.

Indiana

Friday, February 16: Sioux Falls 11 Indiana 3

The Ice fell behind 10-0 before finally getting on the scoreboard in the third period. Eric Olimb, Erik Miller and Ron Cramer scored the Ice goals. Indiana allowed eight power play goals.

Saturday, February 17: Sioux Falls 2 Indiana 0

The Ice was shut out despite outshooting Sioux Falls 27-24.

Sioux City

Friday, February 16: Sioux City 6 Waterloo 3

The Musketeers broke open a 3-3 game with three goals in the second half of the third period. Dustin Gazley and Max Pacioretty both scored twice for Sioux City.

Saturday, February 17: Sioux City 3 Tri-City 0

Jerry Kuhn made 45 saves to blank the Storm while Phil DeSimone, Spencer Heichman and Max Pacioretty provided the Sioux City goals.

TOP POINT SCORERS

Cedar Rapids GP G A PTS

Jacob Cepis 41 27 29 56

Pat Cannone 41 14 24 38

Robin Bergman 34 18 16 34

Kevin Wehrs 41 8 24 32

Rob Bordson 34 6 24 30

Indiana GP G A PTS

Garrett Roe 38 20 29 49

John Kemp 38 11 35 46

Jake Skjodt 38 18 13 31

Mike Phillippi 37 5 23 28

Eric Kattelus 30 15 9 24

Sioux City GP G A PTS

Phil DeSimone 41 17 39 56

Max Pacioretty 41 18 28 46

Dustin Gazley 41 21 20 41

Blake Martin 40 20 21 41

Anthony Maiani 40 12 23 35

LEADERS

Cedar Rapids

Goals- Jacob Cepis (27)

Assists- Jacob Cepis (29)

Points- Jacob Cepis (56)

Plus/Minus- Pat Cannone (+12)

Penalty Minutes- Kevin Wehrs (93)

Power Play Goals- Robin Bergman (13)

Shorthanded Goals- Aaron Bogosian, Pat Cannone (2)

Indiana

Goals- Garrett Roe (20)

Assists- John Kemp (35)

Points- Garrett Roe (49)

Plus/Minus- Mike Phillipi (+9)

Penalty Minutes- Ron Cramer (139)

Power Play Goals- Jake Skjodt (12)

Shorthanded Goals- Greg Squires (3)

Sioux City

Goals- Dustin Gazley (21)

Assists- Phil DeSimone (39)

Points- Phil DeSimone (56)

Plus/Minus- Anthony Maiani (+25)

Penalty Minutes- Tyler Pederson (110)

Power Play Goals- Phil DeSimone, Blake Martin (8)

Shorthanded Goals- Mike Beck, Blake Martin (2)

WHO'S HOT

Cedar Rapids

Jacob Cepis: 23 points (ten goals, 13 assists) in his last 16 games

Indiana

Eric Kattelus: five goals (and one assist) in his last four games

Eric Miller: four-game point-scoring streak (2-3-5) ended last Saturday

Garrett Roe: 16 points (six goals, ten assists) in his last 11 games

Sioux City

Mike Beck: seven points (one goal, six assists) in his last four games

Phil DeSimone: four-game point-scoring streak (three goals, three assists)

Dustin Gazley: seven points (four goals, three assists) in his last four games

Max Pacioretty: four-game point-scoring streak (4-3-7)

GOALTENDERS

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

Kent Patterson 23 1341:57 2.95 16-5-1 2 .911

Richard Bachman 14 846:13 3.47 7-6-1 1 .896

Indiana GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Alex Kangas 31 1757:37 3.07 15-11-5 1 .905

Cody Reichard 13 660:09 3.91 5-4-0 0 .883

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

Jerry Kuhn 32 1790:39 2.58 19-11-2 3 .926

Josh Robinson 13 628:27 3.25 7-0-1 0 .901

WIN-LOSS

Cedar Rapids Indiana Sioux City

Home: 14-8-0 Home: 14-4-3 Home: 13-6-1

Away: 12-6-2 Away: 6-11-2 Away: 13-6-2

vs. East: 19-5-0 vs. East: 12-7-3 vs. East: 12-3-1

vs. West: 7-9-2 vs. West: 8-8-2 vs. West: 14-9-2

GOALS

Cedar Rapids Indiana Sioux City

Goals For: 4.02 (1) Goals For: 3.18 (9) Goals For: 3.85 (4)

Goals Against: 3.38 (7) Goals Against: 3.48 (9) Goals Against: 2.88 (4)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Cedar Rapids Indiana

Power Play: 19.1 61/320 (3) Power Play: 18.0 50/278 (4)

Penalty Kill: 83.7 39/239 (6) Penalty Kill: 83.8 53/327 (5)

Shorthanded Goals For: 9 Shorthanded Goals For: 10

Shorthanded Goals Against: 5 Shorthanded Goals Against: 4

Sioux City

Power Play: 16.2 50/278 (8)

Penalty Kill: 85.6 40/277 (2)

Shorthanded Goals For: 7

Shorthanded Goals Against: 3

SEASON SERIES

Cedar Rapids vs. Indiana

12/1/06 Indiana 5 at Cedar Rapids 3

1/6/07 Cedar Rapids 4 at Indiana 3 (OT)

2/9/07 at Indiana 6 Cedar Rapids 3

2/10/07 Cedar Rapids 4 at Indiana 3 (SO)

2/21/07 Indiana at Cedar Rapids

4/7/07 Indiana at Cedar Rapids

4/13/07 Cedar Rapids at Indiana

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

2006-07 4 2-2-0 4 0-1-0 2-1-0 2-0-2 6

TOTALS 19 15-4-0 30 6-3-0 9-1-0 4-12-3 11

Cedar Rapids vs. Sioux City

12/17/06 at Sioux City 4 Cedar Rapids 0

1/13/07 at Cedar Rapids 6 Sioux City 5 (SO)

2/24/07 Cedar Rapids at Sioux City

3/14/07 Sioux City at Cedar Rapids

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

2006-07 2 1-1-0 2 1-0-0 0-1-0 1-0-1 3

All-Time 35 15-17-3 33 11-5-2 4-12-1 20-13-1 41

Top Point Scorers/Season Series

Cedar Rapids vs. Indiana

Cedar Rapids GP G A PTS

Jacob Cepis 4 3 2 5

Pat Cannone 4 2 3 5

(two players tied with four points)

Indiana GP G A PTS

John Kemp 4 1 8 9

Jake Skjodt 4 3 3 6

Garrett Roe 3 3 2 5

Cedar Rapids vs. Sioux City

Cedar Rapids GP G A PTS

Jacob Cepis 1 1 1 2

Tommy Wingels 1 1 1 2

Kevin Wehrs 2 0 2 2

Sioux City GP G A PTS

Dustin Gazley 2 2 3 5

Anthony Maiani 2 2 3 5

Kevin Lohry 2 2 3 5

Goaltenders/Season Series

Cedar Rapids vs. Indiana

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

Richard Bachman 3 180:32 3.99 1-2-0 0 .859

Kent Patterson 1 65 2.77 1-0-0 0 .921

Indiana GP MIN GAA W-L-SOL SO SPCT

Alex Kangas 4 246:14 3.17 2-0-2 0 .901

Cedar Rapids vs. Sioux City

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

Kent Patterson 2 125:00 4.32 1-1-0 0 .920

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

Jerry Kuhn 2 90:26 0.00 1-0-1 1 1.000

Josh Robinson 1 34:34 8.68 0-0-0 0 .800

COACHES

Cedar Rapids

Mark Carlson, 8th year (243-173-40)

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.

Indiana

Jack Bowkus, 2nd year (32-26-1)

Jack Bowkus replaced Dean Grillo as Indiana head coach on January 25, 2006 and guided the Ice to a 12-11-1 record and a berth in the 2006 Clark Cup playoffs. Bowkus joined the Indiana staff at the start of the 2005-06 season as an assistant after coaching in the California Wave youth program for eight years. As a player, Bowkus skated briefly for the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers before spending four seasons (1984-88) with the Saskatoon Blades of the major junior Western Hockey League.

Sioux City

Dave Siciliano, 14th year (482-203-49); 7th year Sioux City (233-126-39)

Dave Siciliano is the second winningest coach in USHL history. The Musketeers finished with a winning record in each of his first six seasons with the club. He has twice piloted the Muskies to the Clark Cup finals, falling to the Riders in 2005 and winning the title in 2002.

Siciliano spent seven highly successful years behind the bench of the now defunct Thunder Bay Flyers from 1986 through 1993. He led the Flyers to both the Clark Cup and Anderson Cup (regular season title) in 1988 and again in 1989 and to another pair of Anderson Cups in 1991 and 1992. The Thunder Bay native was named USHL Coach of the Year in 1987, 1989 and 1991.

Prior to returning to the USHL with Musketeers in 2000, Siciliano spent two years behind the bench of the Ontario Hockey League's Owen Sound Platers.

HISTORY

Last Friday's loss was the Riders' first ever regular season defeat in Indianapolis. The Riders won their first eight regular season games at Indiana over two-plus seasons.

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 on the road 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 Ice moved to Indiana from Danville following the 2003-04 season.

The Riders eliminated Indiana in the first round of the Clark Cup playoffs in both 2005 and 2006.

Sioux City's 2002 Clark Cup title was the third in club history. The Musketeers won the Anderson and Clark Cups in both 1982 and 1986.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Cedar Rapids (12)

Richard Bachman (Colorado College), Robin Bergman (Notre Dame), David Boehm (Massachusetts), Aaron Bogosian (St. Lawrence), Rob Bordson (Minnesota-Duluth), Jacob Cepis (Bowling Green), Brett Dickinson (Quinnipiac), Evan Stephens (Dartmouth), Matt Tomassoni (Miami of Ohio), Kevin Wehrs (Minnesota), Scott Wietecha (Ferris State), Tommy Wingels (Miami of Ohio)

Indiana (12)

Nick Bailen (Bowling Green), Michael Del Mauro (Harvard), Mike Embach (Ferris State), Alex Kangas (Minnesota), Eric Kattelus (Michigan Tech), Brian Keane (Massachusetts), John Kemp (Nebraska-Omaha), Eric Olimb (Nebraska-Olimb), Brett Peterson (Minnesota State-Mankato), Mike Phillipi (Nebraska-Omaha), Garrett Roe (St. Cloud State), Jake Skjodt (Nebraska-Omaha)

Sioux City (10)

Mike Beck (New Hampshire), Phil DeSimone (New Hampshire), Dustin Gazley (Michigan State), Jerry Kuhn (Western Michigan), Blake Martin (Nebraska-Omaha), Kyle Medvec (Vermont), Travis Oleksuk (Minnesota-Duluth), Max Pacioretty (Michigan), Andrew Rowe (Michigan State)

NHL DRAFT PICKS

Cedar Rapids Year Round Overall Team

Sergei Kolosov 2004 5th 151 Detroit

Richard Bachman 2006 4th 120 Dallas

Indiana Year Round Overall Team

Alex Kangas 2006 5th 135 Atlanta

Brent Gwidt 2006 6th 157 Washington

Sioux City Year Round Overall Team

Kyle Medvec 2006 4th 102 Minnesota

ROUGHRIDER ALUMNI

Division I GP G A PTS

Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State/sophomore) 28 13 12 25

Phil Axtell (Michigan Tech/freshman) 26 2 6 8

Casey Bickley (Army/senior) 29 6 10 16

James Brannigan (Colorado College/junior) 23 0 4 4

Jamie Carroll (Providence/senior) 25 3 3 6

Greg Collins (New Hampshire/sophomore) 24 2 3 5

Chad Costello (Northeastern/freshman) 27 10 10 20

Ray Eichenlaub (Miami of Ohio/sophomore) 36 4 15 19

Jon Grabarek (Wayne State/sophomore) 22 4 8 12

Jordy Hart (Merrimack/junior) 12 1 0 1

Bryan Horan (Providence/senior) 29 3 3 6

Tyler Howells (Michigan State/senior) 32 3 15 18

Ray Kaunisto (Northern Michigan/freshman) 34 2 0 2

Steven Kaunisto (Lake Superior State/freshman) 33 1 7 8

Billy Loupee (Miami of Ohio/sophomore) 30 1 4 5

Shane Lovdahl (Alaska-Anchorage/sophomore) 18 0 4 4

Alec Martinez (Miami of Ohio/sophomore) 36 9 13 22

Zach Miskovic (St. Lawrence/sophomore) 32 2 9 11

Sean Muncy (Brown/sophomore) 27 7 7 14

Brandon Naurato (Michigan/sophomore) 33 10 9 19

Matt Olinger (Wisconsin/senior) 32 0 1 1

Zach Pearson (Ferris State/senior) 32 9 20 29

Derek Peltier (Minnesota/junior) 33 4 7 11

Nate Perkovich (Lake Superior State/freshman) 33 11 6 17

Jordan Pietrus (Brown/freshman) 16 0 2 2

Ted Purcell (Maine/freshman) 31 14 21 35

Nick Sellers (Lake Superior State/freshman) 24 3 1 4

Chris Snavely (Michigan State/senior) 17 0 6 6

Gary Steffes (Miami of Ohio/freshman) 36 5 3 8

David Strathman (Northeastern/freshman) 21 2 2 4

Brandon Svendsen (Bowling Green/sophomore) 31 6 7 13

Shawn Vinz (New Hampshire/senior) 29 3 1 4

Matt Vokes (Brown/sophomore) 24 8 8 16

Chase Watson (Providence/senior) 23 1 4 5

Mark Zarbo (Bentley/freshman) 32 1 6 7

GP W-L-T GAA SV% SO

Joe Fallon (Vermont/junior) 28 15-10-3 1.80 .923 6

Bobby Goepfert (St. Cloud State/senior) 25 13-6-6 2.12 .929 3

Alex Stalock (Minnesota-Duluth/freshman) 23 5-14-3 3.34 .881 1

Dan Tormey (Minnesota State-Mankato/sophomore) 11 2-7-0 4.24 .858 0

Division III GP G A PTS

Brett Beckfeld (Wisconsin-Stevens Point/sophomore) 25 10 8 18

T.J. Dahl (Wisconsin-River Falls/junior) 27 12 40 52

Professional GP G A PTS +/-

P.J. Atherton (Johnstown/ECHL) 47 4 22 26 -5

Rico Fatticci (Tulsa/CHL) 31 2 10 12 +4

Mike Manley (Trenton/ECHL) 43 3 6 9 -7

Dave Moss (Calgary/NHL) 27 6 6 12 +2

Danny O'Brien (Fresno/ECHL) 1 0 0 0 0

Alexander Valentin (Kalamazoo/UHL) 42 2 4 6 -9

Highlights

Wayne State's Jon Grabarek is fresh off a five point weekend. Grabarek picked up two assists last Friday in a

6-1 win over Niagara and scored two goals and added another assist one night later in a 4-4 tie with Niagara last

Saturday.

Zach Pearson broke loose for four points- one goal and three assists- in Ferris State's 5-2 win over Bowling

Green last Saturday.

Joe Fallon made 32 saves as Vermont blanked Massachusetts 3-0 last Saturday. Fallon is tied for the lead in

Division 1 with six shutouts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fans will be able to take advantage of "Buck-a-Cup" drink specials Wednesday night when the RoughRiders take on the Indiana Ice at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena. $1 beer and slushies will be available during the game.

COMMUNITY

Richochet, the RoughRiders mascot, will lend a hoof to the fight against diabetes when he joins the Walk for Diabetes at Westdale Mall on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00AM.

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 are 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.

The RoughRiders Coach's Show with Mark Carlson airs Wednesday nights at 6:00 live from Union Station on 16th Avenue SW in Cedar Rapids on AM-1360 The Fan. There will be no coach's show this week because of the Riders' game against the Indiana Ice Wednesday evening. The coach's show will return on Wednesday evening, February 28.

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

Check out the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2007


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