By Mackenzie Boivin

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings are going into game No. 3 in the second round of the USPHL Midwest playoffs.

The game is needed to determine the best of three between the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings and the Minnesota Blue Ox. The winner of the March 2 match at the South Wood County Recreation Center (SWCRC) will punch their ticket to Boston for Nationals.

Riverkings took the first night of the series, Feb. 28, with a 5-3 win. While the Blue Ox outshot the Riverkings 29-27, Drake Bradshaw held his own in the net. Thimo Ey scored the first goal of the night just 18 seconds into the game, along with the last goal of night – an empty netter. Jesse Edwards, Raymond Fleming, and Adam Peterson all found the back of the net. Peterson, Jordan Stear, Jered Stevenson, Tomas Krchnak, and Cole Creger all had assists on the night.

The Blue Ox took game No. 2, to split the pair of games, with a 2-1 win. Ey had a goal on the night with the help of Peterson and Edwards, but the Riverkings could not find the back of the net again.

Game No. 3 starts at 8 p.m. at SWCRC on March 2.