USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

RoughRiders' Johnson, Donovan Earn USHL Weekly Honors

Published on April 6, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release


Cedar Rapids, Iowa- The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders' Mike Johnson has been named United States Hockey League Stauber's Goalcrease Goaltender of the Week, while RoughRider defenseman Matt Donovan has been named CCM USHL Defensive Player of the Week.

Johnson, 20, stopped 58 of the 59 shots he faced while backstopping the RoughRiders to a pair of wins over the final weekend of the regular season. The Verona, Wisconsin, native made 34 saves on the way to his third shutout of the season last Friday night in the Riders' 6-0 win over the Indiana Ice. One night later Johnson made 24 saves and came within 18.5 seconds of a second straight shutout in the Riders' 4-1 regular season-ending victory in Waterloo over the Black Hawks.

Johnson (25-12-1, 2.39, .909) finished the regular season tied for second in the league in shutouts, ranked third in wins, ranked fourth in goals against average, ranked fifth in minutes played (2263:41) and tied for sixth in save percentage.

Johnson spent this season with the Riders after playing the bulk of last year with the North American Hockey League's St. Louis Bandits. Johnson did play two games for the RoughRiders in 2007-08, going 1-1 with a 2.01 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. He went 21-3-1 in 26 games with St. Louis, posting a 2.56 goals against average and a .909 save percentage while helping the Bandits to the NAHL Robertson Cup title.

Donovan, 18, scored two goals and added one assist while posting a plus/minus rating of +3 in the Riders' two wins last weekend. The Edmond, Oklahoma, product notched an assist last Friday night against Indiana and one night later scored a pair of goals- one of which was the game winner- in Waterloo.

Donovan just yesterday was named to the All-United States Hockey League First Team after leading all USHL defensemen in goals (19) and points (51) this season and also setting single season records for RoughRider blue liners in both categories. Donovan finished fourth among defensemen in assists (32) and matched the team record for defensemen in that category. In addition, he finished tied for ninth among all players in power play goals (10).

Donovan last season was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team after finishing his first junior campaign tied for second among defensemen in goals (12) and tied for seventh in points (30). The Denver recruit was selected by the New York Islanders in the fourth round of last May's National Hockey League Entry Draft with the ninety-sixth overall pick.

The RoughRiders (38-17-5, 81 points), who finished the regular season in second place in the USHL's East Division, will open the best-of-five first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs Friday night at 7:05 at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena against the Indiana Ice. The Riders will also host game two Saturday night at 7:05. The series will shift to Pepsi Coliseum in Indianapolis for game three on Wednesday night, April 15 at 6:35 and, if necessary, game four on Friday, April 17 at 6:35PM. If a fifth and deciding game is required, it will be played in Cedar Rapids on Saturday night, April 18 at 7:05.

Tickets for RoughRiders home playoff games can be purchased in person at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena ticket office, over the phone at (319) 261-4625 or online at www.roughridershockey.com. The ticket office is open from 11:00AM to 5:00PM on weekdays and from 11:00AM through the end of the second period on game days. Playoff ticket prices range from $10 to $18.

The RoughRiders will also for the first time ever offer the Family Four Pack for all home playoff games. The Four Pack enables fans to purchase four yellow zone tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas and four game programs all for just $44.

Check out the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2009


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