Riverkings split another weekend series with the Northwest Express

HUDSON – The Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings wrapped up a successful three game road trip Jan. 17. They beat the MN Blue Ox on 4-3 Jan. 15, then took care of business beating the Hudson Havoc 9-0 and 9-1 on Jan. 16 and 17 in Hudson.

Riverkings at Blue Ox
The Riverkings hit the ice with determination on Jan. 15, scoring just 17 seconds into the opening period. Jacob Chevrier-Alexander intercepted the puck and shot from just inside the blue line to get the Riverkings on the board. Felix Ahlstrand added a second goal and the Riverkings were up 2-0 just over a minute into the period. The Blue Ox successfully killed off the first penalty of the game, but before they could regroup, Sebastian Redfern took advantage of a deflected puck and buried it high glove-side to tally the third goal of the period.
Both teams had opportunities in the second period with the Blue Ox getting the only point when Lucas Kiel skated through the crease and slid the puck in for the goal, bring the score to 3-1.
The Blue Ox closed the gap to within one midway through the third when Carter Kerkenbush slipped through the crease and tucked the puck past Deaken Shaw. Felix Ahlstrand put the Riverkings back up by two on an assist from Marcus Anderson at the 4:36 mark of the third period. The Blue Ox would get back to within one on a late period power play goal by Chase Donaghue, pulling their goalie, but ultimately failied to connect and send the game into overtime.

The Riverkings were outshot by the Blue Ox with Deaken Shaw putting in a solid effort, saving 51 on 54 shots. Dylan Keeley had 35 saves on 39 shots for the night.

Riverkings at Havoc
The Jan. 16 game was all Riverkings, with goals by Jonathan Jakshoej, Daniil Korobeynikov (two), Sebastian Redfern (two) and Jacob Chevrier-Alexander. Hudson would change out goalies, and the period ended with the Riverkings up 6-0. Olivier Bolduc scored a power play goal in the second period, with Colin Ryan and Felix Ahlstrand each adding goals in the third.
The Riverkings finished 1-for-5 on the power play and successfully killed off both penalties they faced. The Hudson Havoc faced 51 shots with Robert Cavalcante going 11 for 17 and Benjamin Warner finishing the game 31 for 34. Eli Graf got the shutout for the Riverkings, saving all 23 shots he faced.

Riverkings at Havoc

Game two against Hudson saw another dominant effort by the Riverkings. The team secured four points in the first period, with goals by Jacob Chevrier-Alexander, Sebastian Redfern, Jonathan Jakshoej and Mikhail Ilyin. Felix Ahlstrand and Olivier Bolduc added goals in the second period and Lucas Nelson, Marcus Andersson (PP) and Felix Ahlstrand added the final goals in the third. Hudson’s lone tally came midway through the second when Matthew Kremer tossed one on net from high center ice.
The Riverkings finished 1-for-6 on the power play, 0-1 on penalty shots and successfully killed off two penalties. Hudson Havoc goal tender Benjamin Warner had 54 saves for 63 shots. Liam O’Connor went 22 on 23 shots for the Riverkings.

Up next
The Riverkings will be at home for the MN Blue Ox (Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31) and the Fresh Coast Freeze (Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7).