Riders' win a full team effort

CEDAR RAPIDS - The band is back together and sounding good.

A full complement of players - and coaches - resulted in a two-win weekend for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, including 4-0 over Tri-City last night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

The Riders had their struggles, going 1-3 the two weeks head coach Mark Carlson and players Jeff Costello, Derek DeBlois, Mike Parks and Mac Bennett were gone winning gold medals for the United States at the World Junior ‘A' Challenge in Canada. Everyone has returned, and so have the victories.

Cedar Rapids (9-5-0) won Friday night in Sioux Falls and played its best hockey in a three-goal third period that helped topple Tri-City.

“It's good to have all the guys back,” said goalie Troy Grosenick, terrific in a 31-save shutout that was his second of the USHL season. “Obviously we missed those guys ... I think this was our first (weekend) sweep of the season, so that's really good. It's a good way to answer a couple of not-so-good weekends.”

Technically, not everyone was back, as Bennett missed the weekend with the flu. DeBlois scored a beautiful short-handed goal 23 seconds into the third period, Costello made it 3-0 with five minutes left and Parks added an assist.

“When we were gone, I thought the team played real well during a lot of stretches in those games,” said Carlson. “It's certainly nice for the team to be back together. They're all close and good friends. To go out and win a couple of games is good.”

Stephen Collins banged home a rebound on the power play late in the first period to put the Riders ahead. Grosenick made all the key saves to keep what appeared to be a tired team afloat until the big third.

Cedar Rapids got home from South Dakota at 4 a.m. Saturday, which helps explain a listless first two periods.

“Coming off a couple of rough weeks for us, we had a good week of practice,” Grosenick said. “I felt good in the net last night, felt good in the net tonight.”

Cedar Rapids plays Wednesday night at Indiana and Friday night at home against Sioux City.

---- FIRST STAR - Troy Grosenick (RoughRiders): Was tremendous in his second shutout of the season, stopping all 31 pucks.

---- SECOND STAR - Bryce Aneloski (RoughRiders): Assisted on his team's second and third goals.

---- THIRD STAR - Stephen Collins (RoughRiders): Had the game-winning goal late in the first.