Roughriders Blank Steel Friday Night
Published on February 26, 2016 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - RoughRiders goaltender Ben Blacker recorded his third shutout of the season with 31 saves as Cedar Rapids (30-12-2-1, 63 points) defeated the Chicago Steel (19-20-4-3, 45 points) 2-0 Friday at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Ross Colton was credited with the game winner, tallying his 25th goal of the season. Steel netminder John Lethemon stopped 34 of 36 shots faced on the night in the loss.
Cedar Rapids struck early in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. Johnny DeRoche chipped a pass along the left boards to Colton, putting the RoughRiders' leading scorer one-on-one with Lethemon. From the left point, Colton put a quick wrist shot over the glove of the goalie to open up the scoring at 6:25. The RoughRiders carried the one-goal lead into the first intermission.
A stretch pass put Colton in on a breakaway with Lethemon once again seven minutes into the second period. Lethemon stood firm and was up to the task denying Colton his second goal of the game. Despite opportunities at both ends, the contest remained 1-0 heading into the third period.
Chicago continued searching for an equalizing goal in the third frame. The Steel outshot the RoughRiders 14-8 in the period but Blacker let nothing past. In pushing for the goal, the Steel let up in the defensive end when Will Garin scored his first goal of the season. Garin picked up a loose puck from behind the net, skated around to the left point and put a wrist shot on goal. The puck was blocked by Lethemon but trickled between his legs and over the goal line to double the advantage for the RoughRiders at 15:15. The Steel pulled Lethemon in favor of an extra attacker but Cedar Rapids held strong and preserved the shutout victory.
Chicago maintained their league-leading penalty kill effectiveness, shutting down both power play opportunities for Cedar Rapids. It was the fourth consecutive game the Steel denied man advantage scoring from the opposition.
The Steel travel Saturday to Green Bay for a 7:05 p.m. meeting with the Gamblers. Chicago then returns home on Friday, Mar. 11 to start a weekend set against Team USA at Fox Valley Ice Arena. Tickets are available at the Box Office inside Fox Valley Ice Arena, by phone at 855-51-STEEL and online at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
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