Corridor Cross Checks: It has been a great month for Eric Pohlkamp of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

CEDAR RAPIDS — What a month this kid has had.

Eric Pohlkamp of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders was a late addition to a United States national team that won a gold medal at the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in mid-December in Ontario. He ended up with five goals and seven points in four games.

He was selected to play in Monday’s BioSteel All-American Game of top American prospects in the United States Hockey League who are eligible for this summer’s National Hockey League Draft. In that vein, he was listed last week on NHL Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings of draft-eligible players after not being included in preseason rankings.

He leads USHL defensemen in goals (11) and points (31) and had a hat trick in a game. Make that two games, considering he also had one at the WJAC.

All of this in a month!

“I haven’t changed anything,” Pohlkamp said. “It’s always been defense first and then our power play. Our power play has been really good this year, so that has helped me a ton, picking up assists here and there. Our power play has been a big thing, for sure. I’m just playing my game.”

The 18-year-old from Brainerd, Minn., has made that big jump a lot of guys do in their second USHL season. Pohlkamp had seven goals and 18 points in 61 games last season for the RoughRiders and has surpassed those numbers in just 28 games this season.

He’s in better shape, he’s got loads of confidence, and his production is showing it.

“I just feel way better,” Pohlkamp said. “I lost some pounds, lost weight, and then, of course, confidence. I’ve got way more confidence. I know the systems Coach likes, so I’m always here and there, and then I can kind of do my own little thing. Just kind of play my game. But, really, having a lot more confidence is the key.”

RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson noted how good Pohlkamp’s slap shot is and how he is always working to improve it.

“It’s nice to see him get rewarded for that,” Carlson said. “Then I think, as we’ve talked before, it’s one of the great things about junior hockey. Seeing that improvement in that second year. He has really grown as a person, grown as a player. Learning the value of his physical play as well. He’s going to continue to improve. This is just the beginning for him.”

The RoughRiders lost a pair of games over the weekend against the Dubuque Fighting Saints, falling on the road Friday night, 6-3, then in overtime at home Saturday night, 4-3. Cedar Rapids is 15-11-3-1 for 34 standings points, which places it in a tie with Youngstown for third place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.

Chicago leads the division with 44 points, and Green Bay is second with 38. Dubuque and Muskegon are tied for sixth with 32, showing you how tight things are.

Iowa Heartlanders back home

The Iowa Heartlanders end January with six consecutive home games. Which is a good thing.

The ECHL club still hasn’t won a road game this season, believe it or. That’s 0 for 20, though seven of those losses have been in overtime.

That included Saturday night’s 4-3 OT loss at Kansas City. Iowa lost Friday night’s game at Kansas City in regulation, 4-2.

The Heartlanders have nine losses in overtime and shootout this season, which leads the league. They are 7-17-8-1 for 23 standings points, which is seventh and last in the ECHL’s Central Division.

Iowa has three consecutive games at Xtream Arena this weekend against the Toledo Walleye: Friday night and Saturday night at 7:05, then Sunday afternoon at 2:05. The following week, the Heartlanders host the Fort Wayne Komets for three straight weekend games.

Michael Pastujov leads the Heartlanders in scoring with 20 points in 26 games. The leading goal scorer is Cole Stallard with nine.

Iowa and Utah are the only teams in the ECHL without a double-digit goal scorer.

This week’s schedules

As was mentioned, the Heartlanders are at home for three. Saturday night is Faith & Family Night, with a pregame presentation featuring Athletes In Action.

Sunday is Dash’s Birthday Party, celebrating the club’s mascot.

The RoughRiders have another home-and-home weekend upcoming, this one against the Green Bay Gamblers. Friday night’s game is in Wisconsin, while Saturday night is Educator Appreciation Night at ImOn Ice.

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