Roughriders tie Blues, Fushimi nets Hat-trick



Team Doctor, James Fretwell, runs into superstar Alex Ovechkin



Chesterfield, MO - The Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16AAA team hit the ice in Chesterfield, Missouri this afternoon facing the #6 St. Louis Jr. Blues at the Hardees Ice Arena. The Roughriders did it again. They fell asleep in the first period and it nearly cost them the game. The Roughriders gave up two goals in the first period and went into the first intermission behind by two goals. The Roughriders have had a tendency to start slow this year. Looking back at prior game statistics, if the first period were wiped free from the scoresheet, the Roughriders would have 8 more wins! Getting a good start is crucial for the Roughriders and, unfortunately, they came out slow against St. Louis and they made the Roughriders pay.

The second period was an entirely different story. The defensemen tightened up their game, improved their breakout passing and overall made better decisions. What happened next was near magic! Brandon Fushimi and his linemates Vincent Guimond and Braiden Miller combined for 3-goals and turned the tables on the Blues. Brandon Fushimi was absolutely on fire in the second and managed three goals...indeed a break out game for the kid. Vincent Guimond had an equally impressive breakout game tallying 4 assists.

Max Shusterman buried a strong slapshot from just inside the blueline to grab the fourth and final goal for the Roughriders half way through the third period. The Roughriders did a good job protecting the lead until about 5 minutes left in the 3rd, when the Blues slipped the puck passed Francis Marotte.

Both Roughrider goalies saw action during the game, each giving up equal numbers of goals.

The Roughriders gear up for a rematch of the Chicago Fury tomorrow at 9am. The last time the two teams met the game was extremely equally played until late in the third period when the Fury grabbed a late goal. The Fury then grabbed the empty netter goal to seal the win.