Dawgs Overpowered by Storm in 8-1 Loss
Published on February 21, 2026 under SPHL (SPHL)
Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs News Release
ROANOKE, VA. - The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs (23-19-3) fell to the Quad City Storm (19-21-5) by an 8-1 final score on Saturday night at Berglund Center. Devin Sanders tied the SPHL single-game record with five goals to power the visiting team.
It took just 63 seconds for Sanders to strike for his first goal of the night, setting the tone early. He added his second on the power play at the 4:33 mark to give Quad City a two-goal edge at the first intermission.
The Storm extended the lead to 4-0 on goals from Denver Craig and Leif Mattson before Roanoke broke through. Andrew Harley drew the defense and delivered a cross-ice feed to Tim Manning, who buried the Dawgs' lone goal at 8:57 of the second period.
Sanders answered with three more goals of his own in the middle frame, pushing the advantage to 7-1 after 40 minutes.
Special teams played a decisive role. After going 3-for-3 on the power play and 8-for-8 on the penalty kill the night prior, Roanoke saw the script flip Saturday. Quad City converted four times on seven power-play opportunities, while the Dawgs finished 0-for-10 with the man advantage.
Mitchell Haight capped the scoring at 7:20 of the third period with the Storm's eighth and final goal.
The two clubs split the weekend series, combining for 17 total goals across the pair of games. The season series between these two concludes even at 2-2.
Roanoke remains home to host the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday, February 27, at Berglund Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST. Season ticket packages and group tickets are available through the Rail Yard Dawgs front office. Single-game tickets can be purchased online or at Berglund Center box office.
SPHL Stories from February 21, 2026
- Mayhem Pull off Absurd Comeback in Huntsville to Sweep Havoc - Macon Mayhem
- Havoc Come up Just Short, Mayhem Pull Ahead Late - Huntsville Havoc
- Thunderbolts Earn Third-Straight Home Shutout, 3-0, over Peoria - Evansville Thunderbolts
- Marksmen Down Ice Flyers in Ninth Round of Shootout - Fayetteville Marksmen
- Rivermen Frustrated by Hot Evansville Goaltender in 3-0 Loss - Peoria Rivermen
- Rally Comes up Short as Ice Bears Fall, 5-2 - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Rally Comes up Short as Ice Bears Fall 5-2 - Knoxville Ice Bears
- Dawgs Overpowered by Storm in 8-1 Loss - Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs
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.
Other Recent Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Stories
- Roanoke's O'Dea, Widmar and Broughman Receive All-SPHL Honors
- Semifinals Watch Parties at Bubba's 33
- Dawgs Outlast Thunderbolts, 4-3, in Game Two of Semifinals
- Evansville Rallies with Three Late Goals to Beat Dawgs, 3-1, in Semifinal Opener
- Evansville Rallies with Three Late Goals to Beat Dawgs 3-1 in Semifinal Opener
