Boehm makes himself at home

CEDAR RAPIDS - It may not be home, but David Boehm proved last night that you can return to the Stable once again.

Boehm, playing his first game with Cedar Rapids after 1-1/2 years, scored a goal and added three assists to power the RoughRiders past Sioux Falls, 10-1, in a USHL game at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

The win was the fifth in six games for the RoughRiders (20-15-2), whose 10 goals were a season high.

The RoughRiders led 3-0 after two periods, but unleashed a three-goal flurry over the first 2:02 of the third that put the game away. Four goals later they had equaled the season league-high for team goals in a game.

Boehm, who had two assists in the third period, had spent the past 1-1/2 years at the University of Massachusetts. Injuries caused him to play little for the Minutemen.

“My parents and I decided it was time for a fresh start, so I called Coach (Mark) Carlson and asked if I could come back,” Boehm said. “He said, ‘once a RoughRider always a RoughRider,' so I came back. This is like my second home.”

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Carlson said he was glad to have Boehm back, not only for his speed on the ice but for his presence in the locker room.

“We weren't looking for anybody to come in here,” Carlson said. “But David is family and we are glad to be able to help him out. The things that he will do in the locker room are as important as what he does on the ice.”

Boehm did a lot on the ice. His first assist, a pass to Eric Robinson who set up Peter Sakaris on a backside opening for the first goal, came just 1:02 into the game. He then displayed his blazing speed early in the second period, stripping the puck from a Sioux Falls foe at mid-rink and racing in for a backhand breakaway goal that boosted the lead to 3-0. The goal came with the Riders down a man because of penalty.

“He was bobbling the puck on his skates,” Boehm said. “We were in a penalty kill so I knocked it away and got the breakaway. That first goal is always a welcoming one.”

Zach Lehrke and Jordan DiGiando added two goals apiece for the Riders. Jeff Costello had an assist, but had his consecutive games with at least one goal stopped at four. He scored six goals over that span.

“We're playing really well as a team right now,” Carlson said. “We're at a point where not everyone can say they scored points, but everyone can celebrate when we win.”

The Riders host Youngstown tonight at 7.

By Mike Koolbeck, Correspondent