Jeff Johnson

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders selected 31 players Tuesday and Wednesday in the two phases of the United States Hockey League Draft. That included 9 players from Canada in Wednesday’s Phase II.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders played seven games in 10 days at the end of the season, the final one a 3-1 loss Sunday night at Youngstown that eliminated them from the United States Hockey League playoffs. There’s no rest for Coach Mark Carlson and his staff, with the USHL Draft being conducted Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Youngstown Phantoms scored a mid-third period goal and added an empty net one late for a 3-1 win over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference second-round playoff series. Youngstown won Game 1 in double-overtime and swept the series.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels lost Sunday at cold and windy Veterans Memorial Stadium, 13-1, to West Michigan. Cedar Rapids has struggled offensively the first month of the Midwest League season, ranking last or next to last in the league in several offensive categories.

Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher Connor Prielipp is considered one of the top prospects in the Minnesota Twins farm system. Coming off Tommy John elbow surgery, he has been shut down since making his pro debut in early April because of arm tightness. After being given a clean bill of health, he’s headed to the Twins minor league complex in Florida to rehab, with the plan being for him to return to Cedar Rapids by late June.

Lisbon High School graduate and former Kirkwood Community College pitcher Austin Krob is in his first full season of professional baseball in the San Diego Padres system. His numbers have been good in three starts thus far for high-Class A Lake Elsinore, though the southpaw feels he needs to improve his control.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders fought back from a 2-0 deficit in their USHL playoff game Friday night, tying the Youngstown Phantoms with a late goal in regulation. Youngstown ended up winning the game in the second overtime, 3-2.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders got a pair of first-period goals from Martins Lavins and beat Team USA, 3-1, Wednesday night in the deciding Game 3 of their USHL first-round playoff series. The Riders now head to Youngstown for a second-round series.

Cedar Rapids Kernels relief pitcher Regi Grace has been terrific out of the bullpen the first month of the Midwest League season.

The United States National Team Development Program’s U17 team got a late goal and an ensuing empty netter to beat the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 6-4, Tuesday night in Game 2 of a first-round United States Hockey League playoff series.

Five players scored goals and six recorded assists, as the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders won Game 1 of their first-round USHL playoff series Monday night over the USNTDP’s U17 squad, 5-2.

A look at how former Eastern Iowa high school and University of Iowa baseball players are faring in affiliated professional baseball in late April.

The Iowa Heartlanders failed to make the ECHL’s Kelly Cup playoffs in their second year of existence. They finished last in the league in attendance. But Head Coach/General Manager Derek Damon is excited for the franchise’s future on and off the ice.

Ryan Walsh of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders had modest goals this season as a first-year player. The forward simply wanted to earn ice time. What he has accomplished instead is the club’s record for most points in a season.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders officially qualified for the United States Hockey League playoffs with a win this past Friday night over Youngstown. The Iowa Heartlanders had their ECHL season conclude with a pair of wins over Wheeling.