Westminister, CO - The Rocky Mountain Roughider U16 AAA team finished a 3 game home stand with a loss, a win, and a tie. On Friday evening at the Promenade Ice Center blue sheet, the Roughriders took on in-state rivals Colorado Thunderbirds U16. The Roughriders led the series 2-0-1 going into the game and had a lot of momentum coming off a solid tournament win in Vancouver.
Apparently somebody had forgotten to tell the Thunderbirds that the Roughriders were hot. The Thunderbirds dictated the play throughout much of the game and the Roughriders struggled to get any momentum going. Tyler Spratte got things going for the Tbirds at 8:43 of the first period giving them the early 1-0 lead. Just 3 minutes later Michael Buonincontri brought things back to even when he found the puck sitting on the doorstep and put it in the net. The Tbirds get the next three goals straight and continue to reek havoc on the Roughrider's systems. The Roughriders defense struggled to get control in the zone and breaking the puck out to the forwards was problematic.
At 6:52 of the third period, Adam Durkee breathed a little life back into the Roughriders when he took a Lance Pennington pass and scored short-handed. The comeback was too little too late as the Tbirds closed out the third period and won the game 5-2.
Shots on goal were 44-14 in favor of the Thunderbirds.
Official Gamesheet
On Saturday afternoon the Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16 team suited up to take on the Roughrider U15 AAA team once again at Promenade Ice Center. The Roughrider U15 team came out of the gate fired up. They had to set the tone of the game if they were to have any chance at beating the U16 team. The previous meeting was a good, face paced game with the U16's winning 5-2.
The matchup on Saturday was a fast, hard hitting game with both teams working tenaciously to set the tempo. The U15 team was able to compete very well for the first period, but the depth of the U16 roster ultimately was too much for them. 8 different players for the Roughriders scored on their way to a 9-0 victory.
Evan McCarthy got another shutout as he stopped all 8 shots he faced. The U16 team outshot the U15 team 44-8.
Official Gamesheet
Sunday afternoon wrapped up the 3-game homestand when the Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16 team took on the Colorado Rampage. If you were paying attention earlier you know this game ended in a tie. The interesting part is what happened to get the game to a tie.
From the opening faceoff you knew this game was worth the price of admission. There was so much energy in the arena it was unbelievable. Both teams knew how important this game was and both teams aimed to win it.
The Rampage struck first when Matt McNichols snuck a rebound passed the Roughriders at 16:16 of the first period. The Rampage are a very physical team and don't layoff any checks. If you are within 4 feet of the puck, you are going to get hit. This physical play, however, is very demanding and will wear a team out.
The Rampage had to back off the physical play for a bit after Alejandro Ochoa went into the backboards off balance and broke his arm. The Roughriders took advantage of the reduced pressure and put in back to back goal to take a 2-1 lead. Thomas Jarman buried a Yannick Crete pass at 4:41 of the second period and then Collin Biebel took a feed from Braiden Miller at 7:38 of the second period.
The Roughriders seemed in control of the game and a sure victory until late into the third period. With just 1:28 remaining in the third period, the Roughriders took an untimely penalty. With the faceoff just outside the Roughriders zone, the Rampage won the faceoff and pulled their goalie for a 6 on 4, extra attacker, powerplay. With 15 seconds remaining in the third period, the Rampage scored to tie the game at 2 goals a piece. The remaining 15 seconds ticked away as the Rampage were able to mount a comeback and tie the game.
The Roughriders outshot the Rampage 27-21.
Official Gamesheet
The Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16 team heads out for Detroit (Troy, MI) for their final NAPHL Showcase.
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