Roughriders Drop First game against Thunderbirds

Paige Maul drives a shot towards net.

Westminster, CO - The most anticipated in state match up of the season finally arrived last night at the Promenade Ice Centre. The 3-0-0 Thunderbirds traveled across Denver to face the 3-1-0 Roughriders. The stands were near capacity by the opening faceoff.

The Thunderbirds set off early and set the tempo of the game. The Roughriders U16 AAA team, perhaps, offered a little too much respect to the visiting Thunderbirds. Respect that had yet to be earned. At 5:16 of the first period the Thunderbirds got on the board first when Justin Weber beat Jared Young glove side. The Roughriders found themselves a man down when Nate Werhane was called for hooking. Dominic Turgeon buried a backdoor pass up top shelf for a power play goal to give the Thunderbirds a 2-0 lead. The Thunderbirds carried the momentum into the second period.

The second period had the Roughriders finding their stride and getting things going offensively.  The Thunderbirds got a quick goal but, Brenden Bilotta got the Roughriders on the board putting in the rebound from a Paige Maul shot. The Roughriders were right back into the game at 3-1. Zed Padgett got the Roughriders to back within one when he buried a wonderful individual effort goal in the top left corner. Padget streaked down the near side boards, skated around two Thunderbirds and buried his shot in the top left corner and rekindled the comeback.

The comeback, however, was short lived as a defensive turnover right in front of the goal resulted in a quick Thunderbird goal. Momentum and confidence are such big factors in AAA hockey that rebuilding from a couple goal deficit are tough. The Roughriders, to their credit, managed to pull the game back together and gain some momentum for the followup game tomorrow at Big Bear. The 6-2 final score was not completely indicative of the final play. The Roughriders look to rebound against the Thunderbirds on Saturday.


Official Gamesheet