Riverkings battle through three-game Chicago Showcase

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings Junior Hockey have wrapped up a busy three-game weekend at the Chicago Showcase, coming away with valuable experience, three points in the standings and a better understanding of where the team stands early in its first NCDC season.
The showcase gave the Riverkings an opportunity to measure themselves against teams from not only their own division, but also other divisions across the league. Three games in three days provided a demanding test physically and mentally, while giving the team a chance to see how its strengths and systems translated against different styles of play.
The weekend opened with a familiar opponent as the Riverkings faced the Hudson Havoc.
After their first regular-season meeting, the two teams once again found themselves on the ice against each other. The Riverkings held strong throughout the game and battled Hudson through regulation, ultimately sending the game into overtime. Hudson would come away with the win, but the Riverkings earned an important point from the overtime loss.
The following day brought a new challenge in the form of the Metro Jets.
The Riverkings responded with a strong performance and came away with a victory, earning three points and giving the team an important confidence boost heading into the final day of the showcase.
The final game of the weekend saw the Riverkings take on the Chicago Union.
The matchup provided another opportunity for the team to compare its strengths and weaknesses against a different opponent. Both sides put together a competitive game, with the Riverkings ultimately coming up short.
While the final result wasn’t what the team wanted, the game provided another valuable learning experience and another chance to identify areas that can be improved moving forward.
After three games, the Riverkings finished the Chicago Showcase with three points added to the standings.
More importantly, the weekend gave the team a clearer picture of where it is early in the season. The Riverkings saw the positives they can continue building on, while also identifying areas that need more attention.
Now, the focus turns back to the work between games.
The early part of the season has already provided plenty of lessons, and the Riverkings are using those experiences to continue developing as a team. The goal is not to simply look at the results, but to understand what each game can teach them and use those lessons to come back stronger at the next opportunity.
Next up
Next on the Riverkings’ schedule, a double-header against the Minnesota Squatch at home. Friday, Oct. 16 and Saturday, Oct. 17, the teams will face off at the South Wood County Recreation Center, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. both games.
The season is still young, and there is plenty of hockey ahead.
The Riverkings now have three showcase games under their belt, three points added to the standings and plenty of lessons to build on.
The next chapter starts at home.