Riverkings Go 2-1 Over Weekend Series

By Joe Bachman
Editor
WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Riverkings went 2-1 over the weekend, picking up 12 goals in three nights.
On Friday night, the Riverkings opened up the weekend with a 5-3 win over the Wisconsin Muskies at home. Matyas Kacirek led the way with an opening first-period goal, followed by goals from Brett DeLatt, Dylan Nurse, and Adam Peterson, who had the go-ahead goal in the second. Raymond Fleming added in a late third-period goal putting the nail in the coffin for the Muskies. Parker Rutherford picked up 35 out of 38 saves on the night.
On Saturday, the Riverkings dropped a tough game at home in the rubber match against the Muskies. The Muskies started off the game hot with two straight goals, and even with help from Kacirek and Ryan Mantz, it wasn’t enough to hold off the Muskies in front of a crowd of over 500 in Wis. Rapids. Erik Schuette went 21-for-25 in net in the losing effort.
After dropping a tough 4-3 decision on Saturday night in front of more than 500 people at South Wood County Recreation Center, the Riverkings responded with a 4-3 overtime win over the Dells Ducks on Sunday night.
Sundays contest was the first of two make up games against the Ducks, as both teams were unable to play in the Boston Showcase because of weather. Dells opened the scoring four minutes into the contest before Alexander Mavrogiannis tied the score eight minutes later with Brett Delaat and Adam Peterson picking up the assists.
The Riverkings would take a 2-1 lead into the intermission as Ryan Mantz lit the lamp off of feeds from Jacob Gaydos and Matyas Kacirek. The second period began with the Ducks evening the score at 2-2. Austyn Quarters would respond for the Riverkings on the Power-Play to make it 3-2 as Zach Hartley and Mantz grabbed the assists. The Ducks responded a few minutes later to even the game at 3-3 heading into the second intermission.
Chances were plenty in the third period but both goalies shut the door and regulation play ended 3-3. Overtime started and ended in a blink of an eye as Gaydos scored off of a feed from Kacirek to give the Riverkings a 4-3 win. Goaltender Parker Rutherford picked up the win in the crease recording 29 saves on the night.
The Riverkings are back in action on home ice Tuesday after for the second of two make up games with the Dells Ducks. Tuesdays contest will be an early 1:00 p.m puck drop.