By Joe Bachman

The Riverkings remain in first place after splitting a weekend series with the Steele County Blades.

Wisconsin Rapids traveled to Owatonna, Minn. for a two game series that almost turned into a sweep had it not been for a late comeback. In Saturday night’s game, the Riverkings started hot, with two power play goals from Kevin Van Bokkelen. In the second period, Adam Peterson continued his hot stick by adding in two goals of his own. Ryan Mantz would add an early third period goal too put the Riverkings up 5-2.

Then suddenly, the Blades put on their rally caps.

Steele County put up three straight goals late in the third period, the tying goal with seven seconds on the clock, to send the game into overtime. It didn’t take long for Blades forward Josh Gouin to knock in his third goal of the game, and the game winner, giving the Blades a come-from-behind 6-5 win against the Riverkings.

Sunday afternoon told a different story, however.

Riverkings’ goalie Erik Schuette knocked away 18 shots on goal on route to a shutout of the Blades. Schuette only needed one goal from his offense to secure a win, but got two, as Van Bokkelen and Peterson found the back of the net giving the Riverkings a 2-0 victory.

This makes the Riverkings 2-1 for this weekend, as they’ve won five out of their last six games. They return home this coming Friday and Saturday at the South Wood County Recreation Center to take on the Detroit Fighting Irish.

Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.