Coming In
March 27, 2006 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release
The RoughRiders enter the Clark Cup playoffs on the heels of their second straight East Division title. The Riders finished tied for first in the division with the Des Moines Buccaneers. The Riders earned the top seed in the east for the post-season by virtue of having won their regular season series with Des Moines. As a result, the Riders have home ice advantage for the first and- should they advance- second round of the playoffs.
The Riders went 1-2 in the final week of the regular season. The Riders fell to Sioux Falls 5-2 last Tuesday and split a weekend home-and-home series with the Chicago Steel. The Riders shut out the Steel 3-0 last Friday in Cedar Rapids. The Riders clinched a share of the division title and the top East Division playoff seed with that win. Chicago bounced back with a 3-2 win one night later in Bensenville, Illinois.
Rider goaltender Al Stalock made 42 saves last Friday to pick up the shutout in his final regular season appearance. Stalock finished the campaign as the league leader in wins (28), save percentage (.931) and saves (1511). He also set new Rider records for most wins and saves in a season.
Rider forward Chad Costello (30-45-75) finished tied for the league point scoring title with Des Moines' Trevor Lewis. Costello also ranked third in assists and was tied for third in goals.
Ted Purcell (18-52-70) led the league in assists and finished tied for third in points.
Special teams may prove crucial in the opening round match-up between the Riders and Ice, as the series will feature the top two power play units in the USHL. Indiana led the league in power play efficiency (21.3 percent), while the Riders ranked second (20.2 percent). The Ice was especially potent on the man advantage on home ice, converting on one quarter of its opportunities at Pepsi Coliseum. The Riders, meanwhile, had the best road power play in the league (21.1 percent).
The Riders will open round one on the road despite being the higher seed because the grounds of the Indiana State Fair- where the Ice's home rink, Pepsi Coliseum, is located- will be taken over by the Hoosier Horse Fair and Expo later this week.
The Riders and Ice also met in the opening round last spring. Cedar Rapids defeated Indiana three games to none and went on to win the Clark Cup title.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 27, 2006
- RoughRiders' Stalock named USHL goaltender of the year, all-USHL first team - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- USHL announces year end awards - USHL
- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Weekly Update - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Here come the playoffs! - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Coming In - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Thomas heading to NHL - Tri-City Storm
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