By Joe Bachman

The Riverkings dropped their first game back from winter break in an overtime thriller.

Perhaps suffering from a little rink rust due to the break, the first place Riverkings fell 5-4 in a see-saw battle to the River Falls Renegades Saturday night. The Riverkings opened things up with a goal by Austyn Quarters in the first period, though that goal was soon matched by a Harrison Bjorgo Renegades goal.

After trailing 2-1 midway through the second period, leading points getter Ryan Mantz tied things up with a goal for Wis. Rapids, bringing the score to 2-2 heading into the third period. Four goals were scored in the third, first from Renegades forward Jordan Wright, and then quickly matched by Austyn Quarters’ second goal of the night.

After the second Renegades goal of the period, Adam Peterson evened things up at 4-4 with only three minutes remaining in the game to send it into overtime.

However, it didn’t take long for the Renegades to secure their upset of the Riverkings, as only 43 seconds into the overtime period, Jordan Wright knocked in a goal for the win. Ryan Mantz and James Stiles would contribute assists to the Riverkings’ effort.

The Riverkings still hold a narrow lead in first place over the Dells Ducks with a 24-6 record on the year. They face the Chicago Cougars for a two-game series at home on Jan. 13-14.