USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

Seidel Breaks Team Points Record; Riders Rally Past Omaha in Overtime

Published on February 8, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders News Release


Council Bluffs, Iowa- Mike Seidel made history early- scoring a first period goal to break the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders' career point scoring record- and Jeff Costello provided the heroics late- scoring the game winning goal in overtime- as the RoughRiders defeated the host Omaha Lancers 5-4 Saturday night.

Seidel's power play goal at 18:19 of the first period lifted his career points total to 139 and broke the old club record of 138 set by Ted Purcell. Seidel's blast from the left point gave the Riders a 1-0 lead; just 52 seconds later Robin Bergman doubled the advantage with a backhander from the slot.

Undaunted after surrendering the first two goals of the night, the Lancers would respond with four straight goals of their own only for the Riders' Matt Donovan to tie the game with two third period goals and set the stage for Costello's sudden death winner.

Costello triggered the Riders' celebrations by jamming the puck in from the doorstep at 2:42 of overtime.

Donovan's contribution was no less valuable. The Riders were up 5-on-3 when he halted the four-goal Omaha onslaught and cut the Lancer lead to 4-3 by blasting the puck home at 2:40 of the third period.

At 15:20 of the third Donovan's superb solo rush evened the score at four.

Donovan's efforts swung the momentum back in the RoughRiders' direction after earlier it seemed the Lancers might coast to the win. Danny Kristo kick-started the Omaha offense by scoring an unassisted shorthanded goal at 3:02 of the second period. Kristo's wrist shot from the high slot narrowed the Riders' lead to 2-1.

At 10:47 of the second the Lancers were on the power play when Matt White's wrister tied the score at two.

Just under seven minutes later Troy Power gave Omaha its first lead by burying the puck from close range.

Just 23 seconds into the third period Pat Mullane converted Louis Leblanc's centering feed to widen the gap to 4-2, but after that goal the Lancers' fortunes would nose dive as those of the Riders rose.

What proved to be a roller coaster ride for both teams started with Seidel writing his name in the Rider record book. The 20 year-old has now totaled 50 goals and 89 assists in three seasons with the Riders. This year Seidel ranks third in the United States Hockey League in points (49) and assists (30) and is tied for fifth in goals (19).

The Darien, Illinois, native last Saturday night picked up an assist in the Riders' 5-4 overtime win over the Des Moines Buccaneers to tie the club points record. Wednesday evening at the USHL Prospects/All-Star Game in Sioux Falls Seidel scored two goals and picked up one assist on the way to being named East Division Player of the Game as the East All-Stars defeated the West 4-1. Seidel will begin his college career at Minnesota-Duluth in the fall.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2009


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