STORM CAN’T KEEP PACE WITH CEDAR RAPIDS, LOSE 6-2
Tri-City falls to three points out of the final playoff spot in the West
Saturday, March 12, 2011
- Game Summary
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – It was a close game for 39 minutes of game action, however the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders scored three goals in the final minute of the second period to pull away 6-2 and beat the Tri-City Storm. The loss demotes the Storm to eighth place in the Western Conference, three points out of a playoff berth with 10 games remaining.
Tri-City (19-20-10, 48 pts) didn’t take long to score the game’s first goal, as Brian Ward scored his ninth of the season from the high-slot 1:55 into the first period. Kenny Brooks and Luke Sandler were credited with the assists on the 17th first goal the Storm have scored this season.
Cedar Rapids (33-10-5, 63 pts – 2nd in Eastern Conference) took the lead on back-to-back goals scored in the first period beginning with Cason Hohmann’s goal at the 5:50 mark. Matt Hansen would score three seconds after a Tri-City penalty kill late in the period to give the RoughRiders a 2-1 lead before the second period.
For the second night in a row, the Storm’s Cole Gunner scored a power-play goal just 28-seconds into the second period that tied the game for the final time. Nick Lappin and Cody Murphy earned the assists on the goal, which gives Lappin a five-game assist streak. Lappin has nine points in his last five games.
However, Sam Warning would set up Justin Kovacs at the 3:17 mark in the second period to give Cedar Rapids a lead that would never be thwarted by Tri-City.
The RoughRiders would put the game out of reach in the final minute of the second period on goals from Warning, Thomas Fallen, and Ryan McGrath, which were all scored in a 48-second span.
Storm goalie Christopher Holden (9-9-5) received the loss making 15 saves on 21 shots through two periods, as Scott Diebold made 10 saves on 10 shots in relief in the third period. Brady Hjelle (32-7-4) made 19 saves on 21 shots picking up the win for Cedar Rapids.
Tri-City went 1-for-3 on the power play, while going 5-for-6 on the penalty kill.
The Storm are home on Tuesday night to host the Lincoln Stars at the Viaero Event Center before returning to the road to the play the Fargo Force twice next weekend.
Notes: The Storm fall to 6-14-4 on the road this season… Tri-City is 11-4-2 when scoring the first goal of the game… The Storm were without defensemen Rick Pinkston, Dan Kolomatis and Michael Montrose… Kenny Brooks was moved to defense for the third game due to injuries… the Storm are 5-for-12 – 41.7% – on the power play in last four games
SCORING SUMMARY
Period 1
Tri-City - Brian Ward (Kenny Brooks, Luke Sandler) 1:55
Cedar Rapids - Cason Hohmann (Michael Holland) 5:50
Cedar Rapids - Matt Hansen (unassisted) 16:56
Period 2
Tri-City - Cole Gunner (powerplay) (Nick Lappin, Cody Murphy) 0:28
Cedar Rapids - Justin Kovacs (Sam Warning) 3:17
Cedar Rapids - Sam Warning (powerplay) (Justin Kovacs, Jayson Megna) 19:09
Cedar Rapids - Thomas Fallen (Stu Wilson) 19:30
Cedar Rapids - Ryan McGrath (Michael Parks, Cason Hohmann) 19:57
Period 3
(No Scoring)
Shots
Tri-City – 7, 11, 3 – Total 21
Cedar Rapids – 7, 14, 10 – Total 31
Saves
Tri-City – Christopher Holden (Loss) 15 (21 shots), Scott Diebold (ND) 10 (10 shots)
Cedar Rapids – Brady Hjelle (Win) 19 (21 shots)
Power Play
Tri-City – 1/3
Cedar Rapids – 1/6