RoughRiders host 'Battle of Iowa'

Mark Carlson cautioned that this is the same as it's been the previous 10 years of his club's existence. There's no difference.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders host the "Battle of Iowa" preseason tournament this weekend, and there are some roster spots still there to be won ... or lost.

"It'll sort itself out," Carlson said.

The tourney features the four Iowa teams in the United States Hockey League. The Riders play the rival Waterloo Black Hawks at 7 Saturday night, a game that follows the Des Moines-Sioux City game at 3.

Sunday afternoon, Waterloo will play either Des Moines or Sioux City at 1, with the RoughRiders playing either Des Moines or Sioux City at 5. All-day tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12-and-younger.

The RoughRiders have 29 guys still in camp, with regular-season active rosters set at 23. The USHL's regular season begins Oct. 2, with the Riders' first game Oct. 3 at Des Moines.

Do that math, and that's six players here now who won't be in a couple of weeks.

"We have an affiliate list now, where if a player needs a little more seasoning and experience, he can get it," Carlson said. "Lots of times that's the best thing for a player.

"A lot of people say 'Well, they had 20-some guys, so they are cutting these many guys.' That's not the case."

As Carlson mentioned, the club can retain the USHL rights to younger players by putting six of them on what is called the affiliate list. Affiliate list players can be recalled to play in the USHL at any time.

 The RoughRiders have played one preseason game, winning at Waterloo earlier this week, 6-3. Stu Wilson had two goals and Jason Megna, Nick Lappin, Stephen Collins and Sam Warning one each for Cedar Rapids.