Roughriders drop second game to Russell Stover

Riley Hillis celebrates opening goal

Independence, MO - In the second game in a two game series, the Roughriders came up short on the scoreboard again. The score, however, wasn't really the tale of the tape. The Roughriders played perhaps there best game of the year. For the second game in a row the Roughriders put up 4 points on offense. It looks like the forward lines may have found their stride, their rhythm, their mojo.

Riley Hillis got things going for the Roughriders at 10:41 of the first period when he fired a clapper from the blue line that went top shelf and knocked the water bottle 5 feet in the air sending the goaltender's water everywhere! The Roughriders were on the board and in style with assists going to Braiden Miller and Alex Sanchez! But the dynamic duo of Galt and Kucera were quick to respond and evened the match at 14:17 of the first. The Roughriders would be able to skate into the first intermission with the lead when Caleb Pola buried a short-handed chance on and assist from Brandon Fushimi.

The Roughriders would strike again at 6:28 of the second period as Cade Warner would net the powerplay goal on a feed from Brandon Fushimi giving the Roughriders a 3-1 lead. Russell Stover wasn't about to go away quietly and grabbed the next two goals late in the period sending the game into the second intermission knotted at 3 goals a piece.

The third period started with the duo of Galt and Kucera connecting again to give Russel Stover their first lead of the game at 2:53 of the third period. The Roughriders were playing great hockey and weren't done scoring yet either. At 4:38 of the third, Caleb Pola nabbed his second goal of the game on a feed from Alex Sanchez. The game was tied at 4. Both teams battled hard in what could only be described as exciting hockey. Ultimately Russell Stover would get the go ahead goal at 12:44 of the third and going on to win the game 5-4.

The Roughriders U16 can only take away positives from these two games. The forward lines are working well together, the systems are working well as long as the players execute. If the Roughriders continue to play like this, they will be competitive against any team.


Official Gamesheet