Roughriders Open Tier I Play with a Tie

Maul and Fushimi celebrate with Miller on opening goal.

Orland Park, IL - The Rocky Mountain Roughrider U16 AAA program took the ice this afternoon in their first face-off in Tier I Elite League play. The Roughriders squared off against the TPH Thunder. The Thunder are a hybrid team with players coming from the Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN and Fort Myers, Florida areas. The game got underway at 12:30pm with the Roughriders donning their black Teddy Roosevelt Sweaters.

The first period lacked any type of flow or consistent play from either squad, however, as time wore on each team managed several quality scoring chances. Shots on goal were not kept officially during the first period due to scorekeeper error, however, a rough estimate had the TPH Thunder outshooting the Roughriders 10-7. Jared Young got the start in net and stopped every shot he faced during the period.

The second period saw a bit more organization and quality play on both sides of the ice. The Roughriders struck first when Braiden Miller buried a shot from Paige Maul and Ryan Fretwell at 13:24 of the second period. Penalties plagued the Roughriders and killed any momentum that they were able to generate. The TPH Thunder power play was controlled and well organized, however the Roughrider Penalty Kill was equal to the task and shutdown all opportunities.

The TPH Thunder netted the equalizing goal at 6:36 of the second period on a redirected shot right in front of the net. Rosburg was the recipient of a great pass across the crease and the puck directed off his stick into the back of the net.

The Roughriders opened the third period with a 5 minute power play opportunity as the Thunder were called for a crosscheck to the head on Max Shusterman. The Roughriders failed to get the puck in net despite many solid opportunities. The Roughriders got one last chance to win the game when Braiden Miller grabbed the puck at center ice, raced into the offensive zone, braked, looked and caught a streaking Alex Sanchez with a laser pass. Sanchez double deked the goalie, but was unable to squeeze the puck through the gap. The Roughriders battled to the final buzzer.

Up Next:

Roughriders vs. Pittsburgh Hornets - Arctic Ice Arena 8:00pm 9-16-2011